If current policies and practice models continue, the situation will only get worse. A well educated, ageing population with high expectations together with advancing knowledge and technology will put a level of demand on the health care system that has not been seen before. This is not a new issue for us. The CMA has been following this growing crisis for many years. But the time has come to bring this matter to the attention of the public, to the attention of those who will be ultimately affected by a potential dearth of physicians and other skilled health care professionals.
Many factors influence physician resources.
An ageing physician population. Today 6000 physicians are 65 years of age or over, including 2000 that are over 70. Many of these doctors would like to be able to retire but can't find replacements to meet their obligations to the community. The Canadian Nurses Association has projected that there will be a shortage of 59 thousand registered nurses by 2011. This may well be a low estimate as it is based on population increase only, not on the extra needs of an ageing population.