35 per cent of physicians plan to cut back on their practice
Canadian doctors are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by their inability to properly serve their patients' health needs, according to a recent survey.
The survey of more than 20,000 doctors and doctors-in-training across the country found 75 per cent of respondents felt inadequate funding of the health-care system, paperwork, bureaucracy and an undersupply of doctors and other health professionals are curtailing the amount and level of care they are able to provide patients.
About one-half of the country's 60,000 doctors are family practitioners, but about four million to five million Canadians don't have a family doctor. Physician groups blame the understaffed health-care system for this shortage.
Unfortunately, the shortage is likely to worsen. The survey, conducted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, found about 4,000 doctors plan to retire in the next two years and 35 per cent of physicians plan to cut back on their practice.
New medical school graduates will barely cover the loss of doctors to retirement, according to the survey.
The survey of more than 20,000 doctors and doctors-in-training across the country found 75 per cent of respondents felt inadequate funding of the health-care system, paperwork, bureaucracy and an undersupply of doctors and other health professionals are curtailing the amount and level of care they are able to provide patients.
About one-half of the country's 60,000 doctors are family practitioners, but about four million to five million Canadians don't have a family doctor. Physician groups blame the understaffed health-care system for this shortage.
Unfortunately, the shortage is likely to worsen. The survey, conducted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Canadian Medical Association and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, found about 4,000 doctors plan to retire in the next two years and 35 per cent of physicians plan to cut back on their practice.
New medical school graduates will barely cover the loss of doctors to retirement, according to the survey.
