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Task Force Two:
A Physician Human Resource Strategy for Canada
Task Force One – Laying a Foundation
In 1998, the Canadian Medical Forum1, a group of concerned
national medical organizations representing physicians in Canada,
created a self-funded working group (CMF Task Force One) to examine
the issue of the shortage of physicians in certain disciplines and
regions of the country. CMF Task Force One, which included both
health professionals and lay representatives, worked to develop
an immediate response to these specific physician shortages. The
members of the Task Force analyzed the effects of the shrinking
number of family physicians and specialists graduating from medical
schools and the resulting projected shortfall of Canadian-trained
physicians able to care for Canadians.
CMF Task Force One presented its report to the ministers and deputy
ministers of health in November 1999. The Task Force’s recommendations
included:
- a 27 per cent increase in medical school enrolment, raising
the number of positions available from 1,581 to 2,000 by the year
2000;
- a 20 per cent increase in postgraduate positions to increase
flexibility, enhance re-entry training and accommodate qualified
international graduates.
These recommendations prompted a gratifying increase in medical
school undergraduate enrolment. However, much remains to be done
with respect to postgraduate positions in all provinces across Canada.
Task Force One’s report also created the momentum on the
part of the participants to continue this important work. As such,
Task Force Two was launched in September of 2001. The three-phase
initiative is one of the Government of Canada’s sector studies
in health. Its $4.8 million budget is funded in part by Human Resources
Development Canada, Health Canada and the medical community ($1.6
million of cash and in-kind contributions).
1Includes representatives
from Association of Canadian Medical Colleges, the Association of
Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations, Canadian Association
of Internes and Residents, the Canadian Federation of Medical Students,
the Canadian Medical Association, the College of Family Physicians
of Canada, the Federation of Medical Licensing Authorities of Canada,
the Medical Council of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians
and Surgeons of Canada
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