Physicians in Ontario are raising alarms as new data reveals over 100 residency positions reserved for training family doctors remain vacant. Following the first round of this year’s Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS), 108 family medicine spots out of a total of 560 in Ontario were left unfilled, marking an increase from previous years.
Dr. David Barber, chair of the section on general and family practice with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), expressed concern over the declining interest among medical students in pursuing family medicine. He cited the challenges faced by family doctors, including long hours, burdensome paperwork, and inadequate compensation, as deterrents for medical students considering this specialty.
The shortage of family medicine residents poses a significant threat to addressing Ontario’s family doctor shortage, which currently affects millions of residents across the province. The dwindling supply of new family doctors entering practice exacerbates the problem, leaving many patients without access to primary care.
While some of the unfilled positions may be filled in the second round of matching, concerns persist about the overall decline in interest in family medicine among medical graduates. Dr. Joseph Param, a family physician in Scarborough, emphasized the need for systemic changes to make family medicine more attractive to medical students.
Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, founder of the Ontario Union of Family Physicians, called for increased investment in human resources and fair compensation for family doctors. He highlighted the discrepancy between inflation rates and the rise in OHIP billings, underscoring the need for sustainable funding for family medicine practices.
In response, a spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding medical school spots and primary care teams. Negotiations are underway with the Ontario Medical Association over a new physician services agreement, signaling ongoing efforts to address the challenges faced by family doctors in Ontario.