Canadian human resource needs in vascular surgery

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Healthcare Human Resources
• Medical Workforce Planning

Background:

• The distribution and needs of vascular surgeons in Canada are not well-defined.
• Understanding current and future workforce demands is crucial for Canadian healthcare.
• Existing data may not accurately reflect the specialized needs of vascular surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the current geographic distribution of vascular surgeons across Canada.
• To assess the present and projected human resource requirements for vascular surgery.
• To inform policy and planning for the future of vascular surgery in Canada.

Main Methods:

• Surveys were distributed to members of the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) and hospital administrators.
• Data collection involved voluntary questionnaires and interrogation of the CSVS membership database.
• Perceived needs for full-time and part-time vascular surgeons were determined through multiple assessment methods.

Main Results:

• 62 CSVS members responded, reporting 47 full-time vascular surgeons with an average of 1.8 colleagues.
• Immediate needs were perceived as 24 surgeons, rising to 42 within approximately 5 years.
• Hospitals reported a need for 27 additional surgeons immediately and 55 in the next 5.5 years.

Conclusions:

• Future vascular surgeon needs should account for retirement age (65) and an aging population (over 60).
• All methods consistently predict a significant need for more vascular surgeons in Canada.
• While the necessity for training new surgeons is clear, the optimal number of trainees requires further clarification.