Too many doctors in Canada?

[IamIDP]

I just came across this article...no wonder they try avoiding to increase the number of seats every year...

http://www.cihi.ca/CIHI-ext-portal/i...ELEASE_02DEC10

[cclawfjj]

yeah this has been discussed in several threads this past month. Interesting topic indeed. It ain't stopping people from applying to med schools though

[ellorie]

And yet, I can't find a family doc. Clearly we have a problem - increasing seats probably isn't the answer, but there sure is an issue.

[Robin Hood]

Originally Posted by ellorie

And yet, I can't find a family doc. Clearly we have a problem - increasing seats probably isn't the answer, but there sure is an issue.

CarmS needs to be adjusted. There is not balance, some specialities are satured, while others are in shortage.

[cheech10]

Shortages are region- and specialty-dependent. Generally speaking, we are short of family docs everywhere, and short of specialists outside major urban centres, but oversupplied with specialists in major centres. Exceptions exist, but those are the general trends. Per capita, we actually have more MDs than many nations, especially in Europe, but the maldistribution is a large problem.

In addition to personnel shortages, we also have facility shortages: ORs, endo suites, dialysis facilities, and ICUs are all lacking in many parts of the nation.

[Robin Hood]

Originally Posted by cheech10

Shortages are region- and specialty-dependent. Generally speaking, we are short of family docs everywhere, and short of specialists outside major urban centres, but oversupplied with specialists in major centres. Exceptions exist, but those are the general trends. Per capita, we actually have more MDs than many nations, especially in Europe, but the maldistribution is a large problem.

In addition to personnel shortages, we also have facility shortages: ORs, endo suites, dialysis facilities, and ICUs are all lacking in many parts of the nation.

I was referring to GPs and Psychiatrists (GP is now considered a speciality).

[future_doc]

Originally Posted by cheech10

Shortages are region- and specialty-dependent. Generally speaking, we are short of family docs everywhere, and short of specialists outside major urban centres, but oversupplied with specialists in major centres. Exceptions exist, but those are the general trends. Per capita, we actually have more MDs than many nations, especially in Europe, but the maldistribution is a large problem.

In addition to personnel shortages, we also have facility shortages: ORs, endo suites, dialysis facilities, and ICUs are all lacking in many parts of the nation.

Increase pay scale for family docs everywhere with added bonuses in remote and rural regions. Increase pay scale of speciaists outside major urban areas. Decrease pay scale of specialists in major centres. Increase facilities. I know pipe dream.

[medguy5367]

Originally Posted by Robin Hood

GP is now considered a speciality.

LOL........!

[cheech10]

Changing relative pay between family docs and specialists may help somewhat to ameliorate the situation, but it's not easy for governments to do. Many of our provincial organizations have very strong specialist representation, and would lobby hard against a decrease in specialist remuneration. Conversely, increasing generalist remuneration is a bigger financial problem for governments as there are more generalists than specialists in practice, so it's a bigger expense. And this does nothing to convince physicians that are not interested in family practice or outpatient work to go into it. Foreign trainees might be able to meet this need somewhat.

Regional shortages are also difficult. Many people are not interested in life outside large cities, and so the financial incentive to work there would have to be significant (or a significant penalty to working in urban areas).

Actually, the facility shortage may improve the regional disparity. Anecdotally, 2 of my colleagues from Toronto have moved to Northern Ontario to find ICU jobs because of a lack of spots here. The supply/demand imbalance has caused it.

[future_doc]

Gotta start somewhere at some point. And available residency spots needs to play a role. Yes, there is no easy solution. Everybody protects their own vested interests and the mess continues. Us guys won't be in positions of power for at least 20 years from now and by that time, we will likely be more interested in protecting our own backs.