Physician Shortage Problem in Canada from 1980 to 2015

For the past two decades, Canada has been experiencing a decrease in the number of active physicians. Currently, the physician-topopulation ratio is 1:492, or 2.03 physicians per 1000 persons [1], in comparison to other OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, Canada has almost 1 less physician per 1000 people. This physician-to-population ratio then places Canada in the 26th ranking position out of 34 OECD nations [1]. In the past few years, the ratio began to increase faster. In the 1970s, Canada had an abundant number of physicians to serve the population; however, from the early to mid-1980s, the federal government decided to decrease medical school admissions and available training positions to curtail active physicians who would be available to the population. Specifically, by the 1990s, a report to the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health recommended each province to decrease both medical school enrollment and professional training positions by 10% [1]. Also, the government has strict policies in accepting foreign doctors while they comprise about 24% of the current physician composition [1,2]. What are Problems?