Respirology manpower in Canada--A report for the Canadian Thoracic Society Education Committee.

Donald W Cockcroft,David Wensley

doi:10.1155/2000/704369

Abstract

A report on adult and pediatric respirology manpower in Canada was prepared from data supplied by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and from program directors (and other colleagues) at universities across Canada. The data support a significant deficiency of adult respirologists in Canada, which is estimated to be from 10%, based on a 10-year-old outdated RCPSC recommendation, to 20%, based on equalization with the 'best' province, to as high as 50%, based on long waiting lists, particularly for respiratory sleep problems, and estimates obtained from academic centres across Canada. Although there are less data available for pediatric respirology, a similar approach suggests a 50% to 100% shortfall in pediatric respirologists. Output from Canadian training programs in adult and pediatric respirology is not likely to meet this need. We recommend that steps be taken urgently to provide sufficient resources for training adult and pediatric respirologists, and to ensure that funding is provided for subspecialist positions in the community.

Highlights

· There is a universal perception in respiratory training programs that there is a large shortfall of adult respirology manpower in Canada
The regional distribution of physicians practising as pediatric respirologists by province is shown in Table 2 [9]
Most pediatric respirologists are affiliated with major university teaching hospitals in Canada and often have nonclinical commitments, resulting in a significant reduction of clinical time

Summary

Introduction

The regional distribution of physicians practising as pediatric respirologists by province is shown in Table 2 [9]. · There is a universal perception in respiratory training programs that there is a large shortfall of adult respirology manpower in Canada. PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY MANPOWER Current respiratory manpower: In the year 2000, 24 physicians with a Certificate of Special Competence in Paediatric Respirology who are registered with the RCSPC are practising in Canada [10].

Results

Conclusion