CAR has conducted studies on the impact of an aging population and concluded that the future demand for radiologist will increase significantly. Even Industry Canada predicts a strong increase in the demand for radiologists services due to the aging of the population. Two years ago, we called for an increase in residency positions. It is difficult now to maintain training standards with the shortage of radiologists in Canada. It will be impossible to do so when faced with a shortage of 500 radiologists.
Obsolete equipment is another issue that effects health care quality in Canada.
A recent study by CAR states that more than half of the radiology equipment used in Canada is obsolete and needs immediate replacement. Each day, the CAR estimates that 150,000 Canadians are examined in radiology departments throughout the country. Half of them shall see their diagnosis affected by the state of the equipment being used. Without immediate action radiologists will no longer be able to guarantee the reliability and quality of examinations. We need at least two billion dollars to replace obsolete equipment.