Psychiatrists and psychiatry residents in Canada. A compilation of Canada manpower data and suggestions for further study.

Abstract

The study of psychiatric manpower needs is both important and difficult. Some previously available data on the numbers of psychiatrists in each province of Canada are examined in conjunction with one new item relating to the number of residents in each Canadian university department of psychiatry. Unfortunately, no clear-cut conclusions can be drawn, ‘but some suggestions are made for further studies. Probably more questions are raised than answered, but this reflects the state of our current knowledge or lack of it. The data show that there are currently (fall 1973) 1,614 psychiatrists in Canada compared with 1,478 in 1971; 944 in 1966 and 549 in 1961. There was thus a net increase of 929 (169.2 percent) psychiatrists in Canada between 1961 and 1971. Even allowing for the increase in the size of population, the ratio of 1 psychiatrist: 33,200 of population in 1961 decreased (improved) to 1 psychiatrist: 14,600 of population in 1971, which represents a 56.0 percent change. There were 549 residents in Canadian university departments of psychiatry in the fall of 1973. This level if maintained, would double the number of practising psychiatrists in Canada in 14 years. However, this also assumes that all residents complete their training and continue practising in Canada, that none of the existing Canadian psychiatrists retire or leave the country, and no immigrant psychiatrists arrive in Canada. These assumptions are unlikely, but accurate data are not available to correct them. McGill and the University of Toronto departments of psychiatry are dominant and they are currently (fall 1973) training 45.3 percent of all Canadian psychiatry residents (McGill 20.5 percent and Toronto 24.8 percent). Unfortunately a number of university departments did not or were unable to supply information on the number of psychiatry residents in training in past years, which makes a comprehensive study impossible.