Job titles: doctor, family doctor, general practitioner (GP), doctor of medicine

Context

Canada has been experiencing a shortage of family doctors for decades; 14% of Canadians do not have a GP. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, but also in large cities with a large number of immigrants. An additional 5,200 family doctors will be needed by 2012—for a total of close to 38,000—to overcome the current shortage of GPs and the estimated population increase of 1.3 million.  

Description

The role of family doctor was redefined by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in 1967 to provide it with greater value with respect to specialists, whose influence was becoming too broad. GPs now have specific skills; they may be involved in prevention, early diagnoses and provide special care. As opposed to specialists, family doctors forge relationships over time with their patients, whom they generally see four times a year. Only a few specialists such as pediatricians can continue to practise general medicine. The College also issued four basic principles for the practice of medicine in Canada: the importance of the doctor-patient relationship, clinician competence, the notion of resources for a defined population, and professionalism, which allows them to adapt.

Family doctors work primarily in medical clinics, private offices or in hospitals. There has been a strong demand in rural areas and outlying regions. Geriatric care represents an increasingly major component of family medicine due to the growing elderly population.

Duties

• Examine patients, provide emergency care and write prescriptions.
• Prescribe complementary examinations such as lab tests and x-rays.
• Give vaccinations.
• Provide long-term care.
• Supervise home care services.
• Give health and lifestyle advice.
• Conduct disease and accident prevention.
• Inform government authorities of births, deaths, and contagious diseases.

Education and job requirements

To practise medicine in Canada, the following is required:

-          A bachelor's degree and Ph.D. in medicine. In Quebec, the process is different: a CEGEP diploma in  health science followed by a year of premed and integration into a medical faculty.

• A two- to three-year residency in family medicine.
• Pass the Medical Council of Canada qualifying examinations and obtain a professional licence to practise.

Profile

• Strong interest in the health and well-being of people
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Listening and observation skills
• Emotional stability, maturity and integrity
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to handle stressful situations

Salary

Doctors' salaries often comprise three types of separate compensation including salary, payment per procedure, and capitation (set amount per patient over a given period). In 2005, the average global compensation of Canadian GPs working full time was $202,219 or $112,000 for a new physician and $260,000 for an experienced one. There is a significant disparity by province; Quebec's GPs lag behind with average compensation of $168,148. An historic agreement was signed to rectify this with an increase of 20% by 2016.

Career path

Generally, the career path of a GP is predictable. It is possible to make career changes by following specific training(continuous professional development, continuous medical education, doing a stint in family medicine abroad) or by building on parallel activities (hospital consults, internship supervisor, specific consultations on smoking and alcohol use, for example).