The 2000 Framework Agreement between the government and the BCMA states that the parties will meet to develop new physician supply management policies. Given the current funding crisis at the UBC medical school, it is unlikely that this number will be expanding in the short-term. As outlined in the 2000 Framework Agreement, the BCMA and MOH will be engaging in discussions to address this disparity. 300 new physician registrants each year to maintain current levels of supply, not taking into account our growing and aging population. The growth in numbers of female physicians will impact on the accessibility of physician services.
Research shows that female physicians work fewer hours than their male counterparts.
BC doctors are aging. The first table below shows the high percentage of physicians in several specialties that are over age 55. The second table shows that this trend will continue. BC currently has significant shortages of several specialties including general surgery and neurosurgery. Generally, there is a maldistribution of physicians, with proportionately fewer physicians in rural areas.