A recent federal study reveals a concerning shortfall in Canada's healthcare workforce, projecting the need for tens of thousands of additional healthcare providers. This pressing issue affects millions of Canadians who struggle to access primary care services. The study, conducted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, highlights a critical deficit in family physicians and other healthcare professionals, posing significant challenges to the nation's healthcare system.
The study estimates that nearly 23,000 family physicians are needed to meet the growing demand for primary care in Canada. Currently, over 5 million Canadian adults are facing difficulties in accessing primary care services, a situation exacerbated by the shortage of healthcare providers. The shortage of primary care providers has become a major concern for Canadians left without family doctors and other essential healthcare services.
Canada's current deficit stands at 22,823 physicians, with only 1,300 new medical graduates entering the workforce each year. Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the Canadian Medical Association, warns that at this rate, Canada will be unable to address its existing physician shortage effectively. The country's production of medical graduates lags significantly behind the 2023 OECD average, which is 14.2 new graduates per 100,000 population, while Canada produces just 7.5 new graduates per 100,000.
"With the 2023 OECD average number of new graduates at 14.2 per 100,000 population, Canada produces 7.5 per 100,000, with only Japan, Korea and Israel lagging behind." – 2023 OECD health report
In addition to the dire need for more family physicians, the study projects a requirement for an additional 14,000 licensed practical nurses and 2,700 nurse practitioners. Moreover, Canada's healthcare system requires an influx of 28,000 registered nurses and 500 registered psychiatric nurses to meet the demands of the population adequately.
The need extends beyond nursing to other critical healthcare roles. The study indicates that an additional 2,000 occupational therapists and 2,600 physiotherapists are necessary to ensure comprehensive care across the country. Furthermore, there is a demand for 1,700 pharmacists to support medication management and patient care effectively.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that Canada lags behind its counterparts in terms of practising physicians per capita. While the OECD average stands at 3.7 practising physicians per 1,000 population, Canada trails with only 2.8. This discrepancy underlines the urgent need for strategic planning and investment in the healthcare workforce to prevent further deterioration of access to care.
If decisive action is not taken promptly, the shortage of healthcare workers is expected to worsen over the next decade. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts from federal and provincial governments, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to bolster training programs and improve retention strategies for healthcare professionals.
