Shortage of Physicians In Canada Essay examples -- Health Care, Anesth

Introduction to the Issue By 2056 it is expected one in four Canadians will be 65 years or older, compared to 13 per cent currently. This will put a huge strain on the country’s health care system (Macleans, 2008 p.2). The future of Canada’s health care system is at great risk due to its aging population. This is triggering a shortage of physicians, particularly anesthesiologists, in some provinces of Canada (Canadian Medicine Journal, 2007). Anesthesiologists are specialist physicians who provide critical care to patients in a number of health programs: operative anesthesia for patients in all surgical subspecialties, acute pain management, procedural anesthesia, obstetrical care, and high-risk medical management, chronic pain management, resuscitation, advanced airway management, and critical care (Intermountain Healthcare, 2011). The current shortage of anesthesiologists is significantly impacting access to care in each of these health specialties. This paper will address how the lack of fore sight in government policies is worsening the shortage of anesthesiologists in Canada. It will discuss how the implementation of electronic health records, formulation of policies which will improve retention and recruitment particularly in rural areas and Challenges in Health Human Resource Policy and Planning Long Wait Times for Surgeries The Canadian health care system promises universality, portability, and accessibility; unfortunately, it faces political challenges of meeting public needs and demands to make quality improvements in health care. Canadian patients face barriers to gaining access to clinicians and facilities and face longer wait times/delays for surgeries. Many patients endure excessive wait times resulting in... ...ills required to practice and to obtain a license in Canada. This process will include written and oral examinations, as well as a clinical assessment. International Medical Graduates who pass the assessment with satisfactory results, can apply to the College of Physicians and Surgeons to determine their eligibility for conditional registration. And, if they don’t pass the assessment additional training by the Faculty of Medicine will be given in order to meet the licensing requirements. This policy would help provinces of Canada increase the number of qualified foreign anesthesiologists, which will help increase the supply of anesthesiologists delivering patient and surgical care in under-serviced areas in other words rural areas. and focus on strategies to improve accessibility to health care services in rural areas. (Good point—how would you implement this?)