New data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) highlights important shifts and challenges in the family physician workforce across Canada.
The growth of family physicians has slowed, raising concerns about the health system’s capacity to meet the needs of a growing and aging population. While the total number of family doctors has risen over time, the rate of growth has not kept pace with the demand for health services. This demand has increased over time due to Canada’s aging population and the increased complexity of patients.
The good news is that primary health care teams are expanding to include other professionals, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These team-based approaches are helping lift some of the pressure on family physicians and improve access to care for patients. Collaborative care models are gaining traction across Canada, enhancing the way primary health care is delivered.
CIHI’s report, The State of the Health Workforce in Canada, gives a comprehensive look at health care trends in 2023. It highlights that while physician numbers have grown overall, rural and remote areas still face significant shortages. Additionally, the data underscores the importance of addressing workload and retention issues, which continue to impact health professionals across disciplines.
Attracting and keeping health care professionals, including family doctors, remains a significant challenge. CIHI’s insights into recruitment and retention highlight the factors that impact workforce stability, such as work-life balance, geographic disparities and burnout. Rural and remote communities are particularly affected, as they often struggle to attract and retain family doctors. Addressing these issues will require targeted incentives, support for health care workers and innovative strategies to ensure care is accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live.
Strategies to attract and retain doctors, particularly in under-served regions, are essential. Addressing the workload and mental health of all health care workers will also be key to ensuring a sustainable and effective healthcare system that meets the needs of all Canadians.
For more detailed information, visit CIHI’s resources on family physicians, health workforce data, and recruitment and retention.