In recent years, there has been a 10 per cent rise in wait times to see specialists in British Columbia. This growth in number can be attributed to the province’s limited number of specialists and the higher number of patients that require specialist referrals.
According to a survey conducted by Doctors of BC, the rise in specialist demand is leading to less-than-ideal outcomes for patients and doctors.
“Specialist waitlists increased by 10% in just one year — reaching unprecedented levels and driving British Columbians to emergency departments and primary care for worsening conditions.”
With longer wait times, the Doctors of BC survey details that 36 per cent of specialists are beginning, or are thinking about, limiting their practice.
“They have either partially closed their practice to new referrals or may do so in the next year, while nearly 5% have already fully closed their practice to new referrals or are considering doing so.”
Doctors across the province are working to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to provide specialists with the support they need, such as implementing the Specialist Waitlist Management Proposal and expanding specialist training programs.
