Our incredible shrinking medical schools
CMAJ 1999;160:772
© 1999 Canadian Medical Association
Recent data from the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (ACMC) point to a steady decline in the size of first-year classes at Canadian medical schools during the the past 15 years. The data hold major implications for Canadian physicians and patients because the cuts are occurring amidst predictions of a physician shortage.
In 1997, 1577 students enrolled in first-year classes, compared with the peak of 1887 students in 1983. This 16% decline also represents a 30% reduction in the number of first-year positions available per 100 000 Canadians. The University of Toronto continues to have the largest entry class (175 students) followed by the University of Montreal (142).
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Students who get accepted are facing bigger bills. First-year tuition fees are highest at McMaster University ($10 500) and lowest for Quebec residents attending the University of Montreal ($2452).
As has been the case recently, slightly more than half of the first-year students are women. The University of Sherbrooke has the highest proportion of female students starting medical school (71%), followed by McMaster at 62%. The University of Manitoba has the lowest percentage — only 30% of its first-year students are women. Quebec's 4 schools have a higher proportion of female medical students (59%) than the 12 schools in the other provinces (46%).
This column was written by Lynda Buske, chief, physician resources information planning, CMA. Readers may send potential research topics to Patrick Sullivan (sullip@cma.ca; 613 731-8610 or 800 663-7336 x2126; fax 613 565-2382).
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