A survey-based assessment of the Canadian pediatric surgery workforce.
BACKGROUND
There is significant lack of information regarding the Canadian pediatric surgery workforce.


METHODS
An IRB-approved survey aimed at assessing workforce issues was administered to pediatric surgeons and pediatric surgery chiefs in Canada in 2012.


RESULTS
The survey was completed by 98% of practicing surgeons and 13 of the 18 division chiefs. Only 6% of surgeons are older than 60 years, and only a fifth anticipate retirement over the next decade. The workforce is stable, with 82% of surgeons unlikely to change current positions. Surgical volume showed essentially no growth during the 5-year period 2006-2010. The majority of surgeons felt they were performing the right number or too few cases and anticipated minimal or no future growth in their individual practices or that of their group. Based on anticipated vacancies, the best estimate is a need for 20 new pediatric surgeons over the next decade. This need is significantly surpassed by the current output from the Canadian training programs.


CONCLUSIONS
The Canadian pediatric surgery workforce is currently saturated. The mismatch between the number of graduating trainees and the available positions over the next decade has significant repercussions for current surgery and pediatric surgery residents wishing to practice in Canada.
Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address: Sherif.Emil@McGill.ca.
Sherif
S
Emil
Division of Pediatric Surgery, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Geoffrey
G
Blair
Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jacob C
JC
Langer
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Grant
G
Miller
Division of Pediatric Surgery, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Ann
A
Aspirot
Division of Pediatric Surgery, IWK Health Center, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Guy
G
Brisseau
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
B J
BJ
Hancock
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
Canadian; Pediatric surgery; Survey; Workforce