The Ontario College of Family Physicians says more than 32,000 people in the Greater Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, Parry Sound region don’t have a family doctor.
Forecasts, based on recently collected data, indicate that number could grow to 62,900 by 2026.
Several factors are contributing to the shortage, including challenges in retaining family doctors. The College reports that many doctors are being driven from the profession due to system-wide issues including overwhelming administrative paperwork, lack of team supports and compensation that has not kept pace with inflation.
Retirement, a lack of medical graduates entering family medicine and the expected population growth are other factors driving the doctor shortage.
“Family medicine is under enormous strain right now due to system-wide issues. However, we believe it’s possible to turn this crisis around and let family doctors get back to what they most want, which is to be there for their patients,” said Dr. Mekalai Kumanan, President of the Ontario College of Family Physicians.
“By supporting family doctors now, we can ensure that Ontarians have access to the kind of quality care they expect for years to come.”
The Ontario College of Family Physicians says these pressing factors have led to 2.3 million Ontarians being left without a family doctor. Officials expect that number to grow to 4.4 million by 2026.
“There have been some positive signals from government, such as recent funding for some teams and a commitment to address the admin burden,” said Dr. Kumanan. “But it’s time for Ontario to act urgently and provide family doctors with the support they need to continue caring for Ontarians.”