Lorne Bellan1, Lynda Buske. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Manitoba, Misericordia Health Centre, Winnipeg, Canada. lbellan@cc.umanitoba.ca
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ophthalmology residency positions have increased in recent years. This study looks at whether the expansion is enough to avoid shortages in the future. METHODS: The Canadian Medical Association Physician Resource Evaluation Template was used to project the supply of ophthalmologists up to 2016, assuming a status quo scenario in terms of attrition and gain factors. RESULTS: The ratio of ophthalmologists to population is steadily declining but not as fast as previously projected. INTERPRETATION: With the scenario presented, the supply of ophthalmologists will be inadequate in the future. Expanding Canadian residency training programs to their maximum capacity will maintain the current national ophthalmologist-to-population ratio but will still not be enough to meet the demand for ophthalmology services because of the shift in demographics as baby boomers age.
BACKGROUND: Ophthalmology residency positions have increased in recent years. This study looks at whether the expansion is enough to avoid shortages in the future. METHODS: The Canadian Medical Association Physician Resource Evaluation Template was used to project the supply of ophthalmologists up to 2016, assuming a status quo scenario in terms of attrition and gain factors. RESULTS: The ratio of ophthalmologists to population is steadily declining but not as fast as previously projected. INTERPRETATION: With the scenario presented, the supply of ophthalmologists will be inadequate in the future. Expanding Canadian residency training programs to their maximum capacity will maintain the current national ophthalmologist-to-population ratio but will still not be enough to meet the demand for ophthalmology services because of the shift in demographics as baby boomers age.
Authors: Atsushi Kawaguchi; Noha Sharafeldin; Aishwarya Sundaram; Sandy Campbell; Matthew Tennant; Christopher Rudnisky; Ezekiel Weis; Karim F Damji Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2017-08-07 Impact factor: 3.536
Authors: Angelica Ly; Elizabeth Wong; Jessie Huang; Michael Yapp; Katherine Masselos; Michael Hennessy; Michael Kalloniatis; Barbara Zangerl Journal: Int J Integr Care Date: 2020-08-07 Impact factor: 5.120