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Unemployment in an Underserviced Specialty?: The Need for Co-ordinated Workforce Planning in Canadian Neurosurgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

S.I. Woodrow ,
C. O'Kelly ,
S.J. Hamstra  and
M.C. Wallace
S.I. Woodrow
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
C. O'Kelly
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
S.J. Hamstra
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
M.C. Wallace*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Wilson Centre for Research in Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
*
Division of Neurosurgery, University Health Network - Western Division, 399 Bathurst St., West Wing 4-450, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5T 2S8.
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Abstract:

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Background:

A recent report suggested that newly trained Canadian neurosurgeons are experiencing difficulty finding employment in Canada. Such occurrences, in combination with recent certification restrictions imposed in the US, have resulted in increasing concern that we will shortly be seeing a surplus of graduating neurosurgeons in Canada. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of training and employment patterns in the Canadian neurosurgical workforce.

Methods:

Using a database provided by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the current practice location of recent (1990-2002) neurosurgical certificants and a list of all neurosurgeons practicing in Canada were generated. From these data the number of surgeons per 100,000 patient population, and the number of residents required to maintain this workforce were determined.

Results:

Practice location could be identified for 183/189 individuals who passed their qualifying examination in neurosurgery during this time. Only 45% of them are currently practicing in Canada. The current service ratio for this specialty is 0.65 per 100,000 population overall. Although 14.6 residents/ year are being trained, only 6.5/ year are required to maintain the existing neurosurgical workforce.

Conclusion:

Our data supports the concern about an imminent employment crisis for young neurosurgeons in Canada with more than twice the required number of residents being trained. However, this shortfall of staff positions is at a time when the specialty may be underservicing the country's population. These results highlight the necessity for more cohesive workforce planning in Canada, and in particular, ensuring the appropriate balance between training and need.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ: Contexte:

Selon un compte rendu récent, les nouveaux diplômés en neurochirurgie au Canada ont de la difficulté à y trouver de l’emploi. Un tel état de fait, associé à des restrictions concernant la certification imposées aux États-Unis, ont donné lieu à des inquietudes quant à la possibilité qu’on se retrouve bientôt devant un surplus de nouveaux gradués en neurochirurgie au Canada. Le but de cette étude était de mieux comprendre la dynamique de la formation et de l’emploi de la main-d’oeuvre neurochirurgicale au Canada

Méthodes:

Le lieu de pratique actuel des neurochirurgiens diplômés entre 1990 et 2002 ainsi qu’une liste de tous les neurochirurgiens pratiquant au Canada ont été extraits d’une base de données fournie par le Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada. Le nombre de chirurgiens par 100 000 de population et le nombre de residents requis pour maintenir cette main-d’oeuvre ont été déterminés à partir de ces données.

Résultats:

Il a été possible de déterminer le lieu de pratique de 183 individus sur 189 qui ont réussi leur examen de spécialité en neurochirurgie pendant cette période. Seulement 45% d’entre eux pratiquent actuellement au Canada. Le nombre de neurochirurgiens par 100 000 de population est de 0,65. Bien que 14,6 résidents/année soient formés, il n’en faut que 6,5/année pour maintenir la main d’oeuvre neurochirurgicale existante.

Conclusions:

Nos données mettent en évidence une situation préoccupante concernant l’imminence d’une crise dans la situation de l’emploi pour les jeunes neurochirurgiens au Canada, étant donné que plus du double du nombre de résidents requis est présentement en formation. Cependant, cette pénurie d’emploi est constatée à un moment où la population est insuffisamment desservie par cette spécialité. Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité d’une planification plus concertée de la main d’oeuvre au Canada, spécialement en ce qui concerne l’équilibre entre la formation et les besoins.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , May 2006 , pp. 170 - 174
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2006

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