Timely access to qualified physicians is a cornerstone
of Canada’s healthcare system. That access is determined,
in part, by the number of physicians practising particular
disciplines in specific regions of the country. It is also
determined by the effectiveness of the way in which these
physicians deliver care.
The past decade has seen constant change in both the number
of physicians and the manner in which they deliver care. That
change has been driven by factors such as: technological advancement;
demographics (i.e. the aging of the Canadian population);
changes within the medical community itself (i.e. a larger
proportion of female graduates, the establishment of health
delivery teams); and, of course, the restructuring of the
healthcare systems by governments faced with budget deficits.
Through all of this change, there has been no coordinated,
national effort to develop a human resource strategy that
would ensure an adequate number of physicians working effectively
and offering the right care in the right areas of the country.
The results of the change and lack of strategy are clear.
In Canada, physician shortages are reported in urban as well
as rural and remote areas. Many Canadians have difficulty
finding a family physician. As well, many specialties are
reporting shortages (e.g. Anesthesia, Psychiatry, Radiology,
Obstetrics, Radiation Oncology), and physician morale is low.
Waiting lists have grown.
|
|
