New report exhibits impacts on provide, distribution and migration of well being workforce
OTTAWA, Nov. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The pandemic is inserting unprecedented calls for on Canada’s well being care programs and a brand new report from the Canadian Institute for Well being Info (CIHI) examines the impacts on the availability and distribution of well being care employees throughout the nation, together with doctor funds and utilization.
Information exhibits that in 2021, common extra time hours amongst well being care employees have been the best they’ve been in over a decade. Greater than 236,000 (21%) workers in well being occupations labored extra time, averaging about 8 hours per week of paid extra time. Paramedics, salaried household physicians and respiratory therapists had a number of the highest proportions of individuals working extra time, in line with Statistics Canada’s Labour Drive Survey from July 2022.
Due largely to COVID-19–associated public well being measures, between 2020 and 2021, physicians supplied practically 8% fewer well being providers in Canada — together with a couple of 7% lower for these in household medication and a couple of 9% lower for specialists. A steep lower was noticed within the first quarter of 2020–2021 with a gradual restoration all through the remainder of the 12 months. Typically, service volumes approached pre-pandemic ranges by the fourth quarter (January to March) of 2020–2021. In parallel, for the primary time in 20 years, Canada noticed a lower in complete doctor funds (-2%).
Along with creating new pressures on well being care employees, the pandemic uncovered pressures which have been constructing steadily over the past decade. The common annual progress of the availability of main care physicians slowed from 3.4% between 2012 and 2014 to 1.3% between 2019 and 2021. On the identical time, nurse practitioners (NPs) turned one of many fastest-growing group of well being care professionals, with provide charges growing by practically 10% over the identical time durations. Using NPs can scale back strain on well being care programs and enhance entry to main care, notably in rural and distant settings.
Pressures are being felt by well being care employees throughout the spectrum of care and throughout all jurisdictions. Between 2020 and 2021, there have been declines of virtually 500 registered nurses (RNs) in direct care employment in long-term care and greater than 100 licensed sensible nurses (LPNs) in direct care employment in group well being companies. On the identical time, there was an inflow within the variety of nurses in direct affected person care in settings reminiscent of non-public nursing companies or self-employment, with will increase of over 1,200 RNs and over 600 LPNs in these sorts of jobs.
Quotes
“The pandemic has intensified structural pressures on our well being programs, and everybody throughout the nation is working onerous to deal with well being workforce challenges. It will likely be essential to proceed to strengthen Canada’s well being workforce information basis to assist discover evidence-based options that drive towards enhancements in employees well being and wellness in addition to affected person well being outcomes total.” — Deborah Cohen, Director, Prescription drugs and Well being Workforce Info Providers, CIHI
“Entry to main care is in such a determined state that sufferers are having to go to emergency departments, which places much more strain on employees which can be already stretched too skinny. Emergency medication may be very a lot a staff sport; front-line nurses, emergency physicians and clerical employees are all in ethical misery attempting to handle the huge wait occasions sufferers face in emergency.” — Dr. Douglas Sinclair, Vice-President, Drugs, High quality and Security, IWK Well being Centre
“Well being care is a fancy situation. There isn’t any quick repair, however there’s work being accomplished with the provinces and territories to have a look at your entire well being workforce. Options embody issues reminiscent of integrating internationally educated nurses far more shortly, taking a look at nurses which have left the occupation to recruit them again and retaining nurses by making working situations higher.” — Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada
About CIHI
The Canadian Institute for Well being Info (CIHI) is an impartial, not-for-profit group devoted to offering important well being info to all Canadians.
CIHI works intently with federal, provincial and territorial companions and stakeholders all through Canada to collect, bundle and disseminate info to tell coverage, administration, care and analysis, main to higher and extra equitable well being outcomes for all Canadians.
Well being info has change into certainly one of society’s most precious public items. For greater than 25 years, CIHI has set the tempo on information privateness, safety, accessibility and innovation to enhance Canada’s well being programs.
CIHI: Higher information. Higher selections. More healthy Canadians.
Media contacts
media@cihi.ca
For English inquiries:
Stephanie Shiny
For French inquiries:
Claire Brassard
Source link
