Wave of retiring doctors expected to worsen doctor shortage in B.C.

Hundreds of family doctors in B.C. are expected to retire in the next five years, raising concerns about the province's ongoing shortage of family practitioners. 

"The doctors are becoming an older group and a number of them are ready for retirement," said Dr. Shelley Ross with Doctors of B.C.

"That's why we're trying to be proactive and see what we can do to make sure their patients don't become orphaned when they retire."

In 2013, the provincial government estimated 200,000 people in B.C. needed a family doctor. That same year, the province promised all residents access to a family doctor by 2015 with its $132-million GP for Me program.

"This is just part of the reality that we're faced with in the Western world," said B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake of the aging demographic. 

But Lake said the province has more doctors per 100,000 people than it has had at any time in the past, adding that the GP for Me program did boost the number of physicians in training.

"We've more than doubled the number of physicians we are training," said Lake. "More now are choosing family practice."

Lake said, however, some factors have contributed to increased demand on the system, such as more patients with complex health needs.

Another problem, he said, is changing work habits.

"Many physicians don't work 50 or 60 hours like they did in the 1960s, '70s and '80s," he said.

To alleviate the problem, Lake said the province is aiming to create an integrated team of medical professionals to see patients, to help take pressure off general practitioners.

"Nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, counsellors — not every medical problem requires a physician," said Lake.