Moving
Forward to Improve Physician Human Resources
Statement from the National Conference on Physician Human Resources
February
1, 2006 (OTTAWA) – From January 22 to 24, 2006, more than 130 delegates
from some 60 government (federal, provincial, territorial) and
professional organizations gathered in Ottawa for two days of discussions
and priority setting concerning physician human resources in
Canada.
At the close of the Conference, all agreed that addressing the shortage of
physicians in Canada and improving physician human resource planning will
require action in three major areas.
1.
Creating a New National Body or Mechanism
Delegates
to the National Conference on Physician Human Resources supported the
creation of a non-governmental body or mechanism that would help improve
the way we undertake physician human resource planning in this country.
This national body would coordinate the efforts of planners across the
country, would conduct much needed
research
on an ongoing basis, and would provide leadership and policy direction
related to health human resource planning in Canada. The national body or
mechanism would share the results of its work with the national,
provincial, territorial, regional, regulatory, and institutional
authorities that are responsible for health human resource planning. With
this
new national body or mechanism in place, governments, educators, employers
and professional associations will be better able to anticipate emerging
issues and provide solutions when they are needed.
Delegates
all agreed that such a body would build on mechanisms and organizations
that are in place already and would avoid duplication. Task Force Two’s
steering committee will develop recommendations on the form, mandate and
funding requirements for such a body or mechanism over the next two
months.
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Statement
from the National Conference on Physician Human Resources Task Force Two
2
2.
Making Teamwork Work
Delegates
agreed that bringing together physicians and other health professionals to
work in teams can be an important part of the solution to challenges such
as access to care, wait times for patients, shortages and burn out for
professionals. They also agreed that we need to build on initiatives
already begun by federal, provincial and territorial
governments
and universities if we are to reap the full benefits of this team approach
to health care. These issues raised by a team approach are important and
need to be addressed:
•
Health care professionals will need support as they adjust their education
throughout
their career cycle
•
Professionals will need to adjust to working in teams
•
The concerns about liability that arise from a team approach to health
care will
need
to be addressed
•
A culture of trust between all health professions will need to be fostered
•
Planners will need to gather evidence-based research to guide them
to the models of care delivery that deliver the optimal blend of health
outcomes, patient satisfaction, provider satisfaction and productivity
Delegates
agreed that the resources and time that will be needed to address these
issues are far outweighed by the numerous and significant advantages of
innovative, team approaches to health care.
3.
Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Most
delegates agreed that Canada needs to improve its ability to define and
monitor the health needs of Canadians, providers (physicians and other
health professionals) as well as the governments who fund the system. The
health care system is dynamic and the
answer
to the question “How many doctors does Canada need?” will change over
time, with organizational models, and be driven by economic, demographic,
social, professional (i.e. scopes of practice) and technological forces.
Delegates called for ongoing research and analysis to monitor these forces
and forecast the resulting demand
for,
and supply of physicians in Canada. Today’s research and preparation
will ensure we have the health human resources we need in the future.
In
addition to the long-term directions listed above, delegates to the
National Conference agreed that there are urgent physician human resource
issues that need to be addressed immediately.
Canada
faces a shortage of physicians in certain regions of the country, such as
northern Canada, rural areas and even some large urban centres. Certain
fields of medicine also face shortages,
such
as family medicine and obstetrics. Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis
can also bring innovative solutions and culturally appropriate approaches
to resolve severe shortages. Delegates agreed that rapid and sustained
action is required by all players in the health care system to
address
these immediate shortages.
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Statement
from the National Conference on Physician Human Resources Task Force Two
3
The
National Conference was the culmination of three years of consultation,
research and strategic planning by Task Force Two. The Steering Committee
will now integrate the results of the Conference into its findings and
prepare a final report of recommendations by March of 2006.
The
three-year multi-phase initiative is one of the Government of Canada’s
sector studies in health. Task Force Two's $4.8 million budget is funded
by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program, Health Canada and
the medical community ($1.6 million of cash and in-kind contributions).
For more information about Task Force Two and the research reports the
group has published go to www.physicianhr.ca.
Michel
Brazeau Hugh Scully Nicholas Busing
MD,
FRCPC MD, M.Sc., FRCSC, FACS MD, CCFP, FCFP
Co-Chair,
Steering Committee Co-Chair, Communications Co-Chair, Analysis and Chair
of the National Conference Strategy Development
Statement
from the National Conference on Physician Human Resources Task Force Two
