Alberta doctors air concerns over looming pediatrics shortage

The Alberta Medical Association says without more support from the province, pediatric care in Alberta could be in crisis within a decade.

The Alberta Medical Association (AMA) says pediatric medicine in Alberta could be in crisis within a decade without more support from the province.

The non-profit organization that represents the province’s doctors says a shortage of pediatricians means it’s becoming harder to sustain standards of pediatric care.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The AMA says more doctors are retiring, and that fewer new grads are planning to work and stay in the province, particularly in rural areas.

It’s asking the province to provide more incentives and training for new doctors as well as increase support in other parts of the health-care system.

It says long wait times for everything from emergency care to ADHD testing and mental health supports are increasing pressure and burn out for pediatricians.

“That part is really distressing for a lot of pediatricians, when you can’t help the patients that we see in the way that they need to be helped,” Dr. Sam Wong, the AMA’s pediatrics president, said Thursday during an online media conference.

The AMA also says it would like to see more support for vaccination.

It says it appreciates the health minister’s recent endorsement of the measles vaccine but would like to see a return to the days when leaders promoted vaccination at every opportunity.

CTV News Edmonton has reached out to Alberta’s health ministry and is waiting for a response.