Respirology Manpower in Canada -- A Report for the Canadian Thoracic Society Education Committee

Abstract

A report on adult and pediatric respirology manpower in Canada was prepared from data supplied by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), and from program directors (and other colleagues) at universities across Canada. The data support a significant deficiency of adult respirologists in Canada, which is estimated to be from 10%, based on a 10-year-old outdated RCPSC recommendation, to 20%, based on equalization with the 'best' province, to as high as 50%, based on long waiting lists, particularly for respiratory sleep problems, and estimates obtained from academic centres across Canada. Although there are less data available for pediatric respirology, a similar approach suggests a 50% to 100% shortfall in pediatric respirologists. Output from Canadian training programs in adult and pediatric respirology is not likely to meet this need. We recommend that steps be taken urgently to provide sufficient resources for training adult and pediatric respirologists, and to ensure that funding is provided for subspecialist positions in the community.