Medical school enrolment rebounds

First-year enrolment in Canadian medical schools increased for the fourth consecutive year in 2000/01, when it stood at 1763 students. It had reached a 30-year low of 1577 students in 1997/98. The 12% increase since 1997/98 closely matched the announced increases in undergraduate enrolment made by provincial governments. Approximately 140 more positions have been promised over the next 2 years.

These increases will play a significant role in addressing the potential future shortage of physicians identified by national medical organizations in the Canadian Medical Forum's 1999 report, Physician Supply in Canada. The increases also restore the 10% cut in enrolment made on the recommendation of the 1991 Barer/Stoddart report. Enrolment was already declining when that report was released, so the reduction translated into 16% fewer positions than in 1983/84, when Canada had 1887 students begin their medical education.

Alberta, Ontario and Quebec experienced the largest changes last year, with first-year enrolment increasing by 23%, 9% and 6% respectively. First-year female students outnumbered males and comprised 54% of the 2000/2001 first-year class.

Increases in enrolment are not yet reflected in the number of medical degrees awarded by Canadian universities. Preliminary data for 2001 indicated a decrease of 37, from 1578 in 2000 to 1541 in 2001. This is the lowest recorded number of graduates since 1975.

Figure.