The study of specialists follows an earlier one that looked at generalist physicians. There is no easy, agreed-upon way to decide how many specialist physicians are needed. But that doesn't mean we should avoid the issue.
Physicians are a key resource in our publicly-funded health care system.
Like any other resource, we must plan how many specialists we need by looking at the best data available on the number of specialists and the care they deliver. Much of the early work on this project was done in support of the Physician Resource Committee, a joint planning effort of the Manitoba Medical Association and Manitoba Health. While the Committee's input was useful, these are our own conclusions. This study will provide timely information for the new joint hospital management system in Winnipeg, where most specialists practise, and for the new Regional Health Authorities. In examining whether Manitoba has too few, too many, or about the right number of specialists, we focused mainly on how this province compares to others.