The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) has released new research concerning medical professionals in Canada. Chief among the findings is the fact that though the number of physicians has risen to 228 doctors per 100,000 population, the average gross clinical payment per physician has remained at $339,000.
“Understanding the supply, payments and activities of physicians across the country helps us to understand not only how many physicians there are and how much we pay for their services, but also how health care resources are allocated,” says Geoff Ballinger, CIHI’s manager of Physician Information.
The number of physicians per person has been increasing at a faster rate than the population for the past nine years. As of 2015, Nova Scotia has the highest ratio, with 261 physicians per 100,000 people. P.E.I, by contrast, has only 181 per 100,000, the lowest ratio in Canada.
Salaries differ by medical practice and by province. While Nova Scotian doctors saw an average income of $258,000, those in Alberta received $366,000.
- Family physicians receive an average of $271,000
- Medical specialists receive an average of $338,000
- Surgical specialists receive an average of $446,000
“It’s important to realize, however, that the average payment estimates are gross amounts that in most cases include the overhead costs of running physician practices, such as staff salaries, medical equipment and supplies, and office rent,” notes Ballinger.
Canada has also seen an increase in the number of female doctors. In 2011, 36.5 per cent of physicians were female. In 2015, women account for 40 per cent of all Canadian physicians.
On average, women represent more family physicians (45 per cent) than specialists (35 per cent).
Canada can continue to expect more doctors in coming years. Between 2011 and 2015, the number of MD degrees from Canadian universities rose by 12 per cent.
