ONTARIO LEADING CANADA IN PHYSICIAN GROWTH

TORONTO, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) released its annual report on physician supply in Canada today, and it revealed that the number of physicians in Ontario has been increasing steadily since 2006.

The CIHI report also found that:

• The number of physicians in 2009 is up 6.4% over 2008, which lead all provinces;
• This growth is the largest increase in over 30 years, and approximately five times faster than population growth over the same period;
• The number of physicians returning to Ontario from abroad in 2009 is up 43% over 2008; and
• Ontario had a net gain of 110 physicians through interjurisdictional migration in 2009, which is up from a net gain of 18 in 2008.

"More doctors practising in Ontario is good news for patients and the overall health care system," said Dr. Mark MacLeod, President of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA). "With more  doctors practising in the province today it means that more patients than ever are receiving the care they need and deserve."

With more doctors practising in Ontario, there have been great strides towards strengthening the system as more patients are receiving care.  For example, since 2004 Ontario's doctors have:

• Helped 1.2 million patients get a family doctor;
• Treated over 30 million patients in emergency rooms;
• Performed more than 775,000 cataract surgeries;
• Performed nearly 108,000 knee replacement surgeries; and
• Performed more than 70,000 hip replacement surgeries.

Working in partnership with government, a number of initiatives have been implemented that have played a critical role in the increase of physicians.  For example, increasing the number of medical school spaces and residency positions; the opening of a new medical school in Northern Ontario; increasing the number of international medical graduates (IMGs) working in  Canada; and the development of innovative practice models such as Family Health Teams.

"We are fully committed to working with the government to make Ontario an even more attractive place to practice medicine.  Ontario's doctors will continue working hard to develop a comprehensive system to improve patients' access to quality health care which will result in the best outcomes for patients," Dr MacLeod said.

For further information:

OMA Media Relations [phone] or toll free 1-800-268-7215 ext 268