Alberta Faces Doctor Shortage Amid Aging Population, Study Reveals

A significant shortage of physicians in Alberta is being driven by an aging population and an increase in chronic illnesses, according to research conducted by the University of Calgary. The study, led by Dr. Braden Manns from the Cumming School of Medicine, highlights how these factors are stretching the healthcare system and impacting patient access to family doctors.

While the number of family physicians has generally kept pace with Alberta’s population growth, the increasing complexity of health conditions among patients is creating substantial pressure on medical practitioners. Dr. Manns emphasized that the challenges are not solely due to the number of doctors available but also the rising demand for medical care. He noted, “If you talk to family doctors, they’re seeing sicker people, and it takes longer to take care of them or they see them more frequently.”

Survey data reveals that approximately 20 to 25 percent of Albertans currently lack a family physician. Alarmingly, among older patients with acute illnesses, about 50 percent wait more than six days for an appointment, placing Alberta at the bottom among Commonwealth nations in terms of patient access.

To better understand the physician landscape, researchers analyzed a wide spectrum of medical data spanning from 2004 to 2020, including billing claims, hospital reports, and health records. Their findings indicated that the average number of patients seen daily by family doctors decreased from 23 in 2004 to 20 in 2020. Furthermore, the average annual working days for family physicians dropped from 167 to 156 over the same period.

Dr. Manns pointed out that the proportion of physicians working in hospital settings has increased significantly, from 1 percent to 5 percent. He remarked that many family doctors are opting for alternative medical roles that are perceived as less stressful or more financially rewarding. This shift has contributed to a decrease in the willingness of family doctors, particularly male practitioners, to take on new patients. Notably, the number of family physicians in Alberta accepting new patients plummeted from 900 in 2020 to just 164 in 2023.

The challenges faced by Alberta’s healthcare system are not unique to the province. Dr. Manns pointed out that British Columbia is experiencing an even more severe situation. The root of these issues can be traced to a near-doubling of individuals with five or more chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, cancer, or heart disease, since the beginning of the century.

As Alberta grapples with these pressing healthcare challenges, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address both physician supply and patient demand has never been more urgent.