Canadian anesthesia physician resources: 1996 and beyond

Purpose: To report physician resource information from the 1996 national an esthesia physician and residency programme surveys in Canada. The findings are used to discuss the potential effects on availability of future special ist anesthesia services in Canada. Methods: Twenty-six hundred and ninety-three physicians (2,206 specialists, 487 family physicians) providing anesthesia services were surveyed. Inform ation on demographics and patterns of clinical practice were sought. Anesth esia programme directors provided trainee information. Projections of the p otential number of practicing anesthesiologists to 2026 were made based on the number of available training positions and age distribution of anesthes iologists. Results: There was a 58.3% response rate to the national survey, Since 1986 there has been a 10% increase in the number of specialist anesthesiologist s. Marked regional variations in age distribution and changes in the number of specialist anesthesiologists were noted. Most specialists remain in the region or province of postgraduate training, Sixty percent of specialists were either re-entry trainees or international medical graduates. Changes i n anesthesia practice patterns have resulted in 40% of the anesthesiologist 's work now occurring outside of the operating room, Anesthesia training po sitions have decreased by at least 15%. The population of Canada is project ed to increase by 33.8% between 1996 and 2026. If current government and po sition allocation policies continue, it is projected there will be 0% incre ase in the number of specialist anesthesiologists over the same time period . Conclusions: Changes in anesthesia practices have exacerbated the current s hortages of anesthesiologists These shortages will worsen if the number of, and restrictions to, available residency positions is unchanged.