According to new research conducted by the Canadian Association of Interns and Residents (CAIR), Canada needs a better way to anticipate the supply and demand of physicians if we are to meet patient needs in the future. Reliable data and better coordination between patient needs and residency training positions would also help residents with career decisions, ultimately resulting in better patient care. Based on the findings of its work, the CAIR Committee adopted six Principles that would bring about a more effective way of coordinating physician health human resources across the country: Effective, evidence-based workforce planning for Canadian patients and physicians, allocation of residency training positions that aligns with population needs and job availability, particularly in specialty areas, improvements to the work environment in rural areas to attract and retain new physicians in local communities, career counseling throughout medical training, promotion of a culture of social accountability in medical training and succession planning.
