Alberta’s Doctor Shortage: New Study Urges Investment in Primary Care

Alberta faces a significant challenge in addressing its doctor shortage, according to a recent study by Dr. Braden Manns from the Cumming School of Medicine. During an interview with Michael Higgins on Alberta Primetime, Manns emphasized the need for increased investment in primary care. The study highlights alarming trends in access to family physicians and recommends strategies to improve the situation.

The research involved a thorough analysis of de-identified records of Albertans who visited comprehensive care family physicians over a span of 16 years. Manns noted that approximately a quarter of Albertans currently lack access to a family doctor, and those who do often face long wait times for appointments. Despite a population increase of about 40 percent during this period, the number of family physicians has not kept pace with demand.

Manns clarified that the study did not rely heavily on artificial intelligence for data analysis. Instead, it focused on cleaning and linking extensive datasets to understand the evolving landscape of family medicine in Alberta. The study revealed that while the number of family doctors has increased, the availability of practices open to new patients has decreased significantly.

One striking finding from the research is the shift in the demographic and practice patterns of family physicians. A growing number of practitioners are trained in lower-middle-income countries, and many are opting to work exclusively in hospitals rather than establishing family practices. Additionally, those who do open practices are seeing fewer patients and working fewer days each year. Manns explained that this change is not due to a lack of commitment; rather, it reflects the increasing complexity of patient needs.

The study identified a rise in patients with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. There are now approximately twice as many individuals with five or more chronic conditions compared to two decades ago. This shift means that visits to family physicians are longer and more frequent, further straining the system.

Manns expressed concern regarding the structure of Alberta’s healthcare system, especially in light of the ongoing reforms by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government. He advocated for the establishment of a robust primary care agency that includes family physicians as integral parts of the healthcare team. He emphasized the need for a new funding model that supports collaborative care among healthcare professionals.

The concept of teamwork in healthcare is a critical focus of Manns’ study. Research indicates that when older adults with multiple health concerns are treated by multidisciplinary teams—including nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers—they receive better care and have improved experiences. However, the current ratio of allied health clinicians to family doctors is insufficient, often limiting the effectiveness of collaborative care.

Manns highlighted the importance of reimagining the roles of healthcare professionals. He pointed out that allied health providers can effectively address specific patient needs, allowing family physicians to focus on diagnosing and managing complex conditions.

The study also underscores the urgent need for enhanced recruitment and training strategies for family physicians and other clinicians. Manns noted that while the number of family physicians may be stable, their practice patterns have changed significantly. The province must invest in expanding the primary care workforce to meet the growing demands of the population.

In a direct message to policymakers, Manns recommended that the provincial government prioritize primary care access and team-based healthcare. He indicated that preliminary findings from the study were shared with the government as they developed a new funding model for family medicine. The proposed strategies aim to foster collaboration and improve the overall efficiency of Alberta’s healthcare system.

As Alberta continues to navigate its healthcare challenges, the insights from Dr. Manns’ study provide a clear roadmap for addressing the doctor shortage. Increased investment in primary care and a commitment to restructuring the healthcare workforce are essential steps toward ensuring that all Albertans have access to the medical care they need.