Waterloo, St. George's University team up to address doctor shortage in Canada
By expediting the medical school training process, more doctors can be ready to practice medicine sooner
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More than six million Canadians currently lack access to primary care because there aren’t enough doctors to go around. According to the Canadian Medical Association, the issue is expected to worsen by 2031, with a shortfall of 20,000 doctors needed to meet demand.
A new partnership between the University of Waterloo and St. George’s University aims to address this shortage, enabling more Canadians to access primary care by creating an innovative new fast-track program. Their streamlined path will give students a better and more time-saving educational trajectory, allowing them to reach medical school faster.
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The doctor shortage in Canada
According to data from the Canadian Medical Association, roughly 29 per cent of Canada’s family physicians have already or are expected to retire in recent years. This leaves a significant gap in the number of doctors available and the population size.
Less than a third of recent medical school graduates are choosing the family medicine route, instead specializing in other verticals. Family doctors are also typically tasked with providing care for a person’s lifetime, often referred to as “cradle to grave” care, but that’s not happening as much, either, due to other specializations taking precedence.
With approximately 268 family medicine training program spots remaining open in 2023, Canada experienced the highest number of vacancies in history in family medicine programs.
The issue is compounded by the fact that the population is aging and thus requires more primary care. The demand is growing, and the number of doctors is dwindling, so when it comes time for a Canadian to seek care, they are left with few options.
MD Tracks with St. George’s University and the University of Waterloo
With the situation being so dire, education institutes training the doctors of tomorrow are stepping up in a big way to improve the ratio between patients and family physicians. Working together, the University of Waterloo and St. George’s University in Grenada have created new programs that will cut the time it takes for a student to begin medical training with five- and six-year MD tracks.
“This partnership is more than an academic offering. It’s a strategic response to a national healthcare challenge. By collaborating with the University of Waterloo, we’re providing a new and guaranteed pathway for driven Canadian students to begin medical training earlier, supported every step of the way,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, dean of the St. George’s University School of Medicine, in a press release.
Students attending the University of Waterloo can earn their Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSci) degree from the University of Waterloo and are offered secured and guaranteed entry in the MD program at St. George’s University, where they can skip the MCAT process and apply directly through the school’s new simplified admissions process.
Students interested in becoming doctors can apply directly from high school or after studying in an undergraduate program for some time, giving the doctors of tomorrow a clearer and more flexible path towards medical training and a career.
“With many SGU alumni already practicing in Canada, there is a clear path for graduates of this new program to return home after their studies to provide needed medical care for Canadians,” said Dr. Chris Houser, dean of Waterloo’s Faculty of Science, in a press release.
With St. George’s University turning out a large portion of new doctors in North America for over a decade, the partnership is expected to provide a solution to a significant problem the country continues to face.
“The first of its kind in Canada, this program is a creative solution to help solve our country’s overwhelming need for more doctors and to keep up with population growth,” said Dr. Houser in a press release.
