Canada's Healthcare System Calls for More "Immigrant Doctors"
As Canada's population skyrockets by over five million in the last decade, the nation grapples with a critical shortage of medical professionals, particularly family doctors. With just 167 medical residencies added in the same timeframe, many Canadians find themselves without regular access to primary care physicians, according to a recent report by CBC News. Shockingly, over 6.5 million Canadians lack a designated family doctor, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Gurmeet Sharma
The surge in population, coupled with various systemic challenges, poses significant ramifications for public health. To address this pressing issue, both federal and provincial governments are actively seeking to bolster the healthcare workforce by attracting more qualified professionals from abroad.
Obstacles for International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Despite immigrants constituting a significant portion of Canada's healthcare workforce, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) often encounter hurdles in securing medical residencies due to quotas and preferential treatment towards domestic graduates. Dr. Kathleen Ross, President of the CMA, underscores the repercussions of this imbalance, stressing the nation's inadequate production of primary care physicians.
In response to these challenges, Canada is investing in the recognition of foreign credentials, with initiatives aimed at supporting the integration of highly skilled immigrants into the healthcare sector. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) recently announced an $86 million funding initiative to facilitate the recognition of international credentials for approximately 6600 healthcare professionals.
Factors Contributing to the Doctor Shortage
Beyond barriers faced by IMGs, Canada is grappling with declining interest in family medicine among domestic medical graduates. Reports indicate a notable decrease in graduates opting for family medicine residency programs, compounded by an exodus of experienced family doctors from the profession.
Moreover, the stagnation in the expansion of medical residencies exacerbates the shortfall of healthcare providers. While the population burgeons, medical schools have only marginally increased the intake of postgraduate trainees, falling significantly short of the projected demand for family doctors by 2031.
Addressing the Gap: A Multifaceted Approach
Efforts to bridge the physician deficit extend across various levels of government and institutions. At the federal level, Canada is leveraging category-based Express Entry draws to attract foreign nationals with healthcare expertise. Additionally, several provinces are ramping up efforts to expand medical training capacity and establish new medical schools.
Ontario plans to add 449 more postgraduate medical training spaces over five years, with a portion expected to become available in 2024. Prince Edward Island will inaugurate a new medical school in 2025, while British Columbia's Simon Fraser University aims to open a new medical school in 2026.
In light of Canada's burgeoning population and the imperative for accessible healthcare services, these initiatives mark essential steps toward fortifying the nation's healthcare system and ensuring equitable access to medical care for all Canadians.
