Expanding healthcare capacity in Canada: the potential of internationally trained physicians

Canada's healthcare system is facing a severe shortage of doctors, leaving millions of Canadians struggling to access essential primary and specialist care. Despite substantial investment in healthcare, Canada still falls behind other OECD countries in having enough physicians to meet patient needs. This crisis, fueled by inadequate workforce planning, an aging population, and increasing physician burnout, has forced more patients to rely on emergency departments for basic care, driving up costs and reducing quality of service. Internationally trained physicians (ITPs) represent a significant yet underutilized resource. However, they encounter numerous barriers, including restrictive licensing practices, insufficient residency spots, and accreditation systems that occasionally value training length more than clinical performance or demonstrated competency. To address these urgent challenges, Canada should expand on competency-based accreditation methods, build on existing Practice Ready Assessment programs, create more residency placements for ITPs, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Taking immediate steps toward these reforms will improve healthcare access, patient outcomes, and ensure long-term sustainability of healthcare across Canada.