The number of unfilled residency positions for medical school graduates hit a new high in Quebec this year, and slightly fewer recruits than last year will be starting the final phase of their training on July 1.

These are worrying signs that efforts to attract the next generation of doctors in Quebec, especially family physicians, are falling short of their potential. But it’s also not surprising after years of restrictive measures and in the wake of last fall’s showdown over a new pay model and working conditions in particular.

Preliminary data was published last week by the Canadian Resident Matching Service, known as CaRMS, showing 4,029 students found residencies nationwide, including 1,858 future family doctors.

The initial breakdown showed that of 181 spots left open after two rounds of placements, the lion’s share were in Quebec. Of 42 unfilled posts in specialties from anesthesiology to urology, 24 were in Quebec as of April 21. Of 139 vacant places in family medicine, 126 were in Quebec on the same date. The information will be updated by CaRMS next week to reflect any last-minute matches.

But even though more residencies might get filled, the results are disappointing in a province where 1.5 million Quebecers don’t have a family doctor and nearly a quarter of existing practitioners are over 60.

The Fédération des médecins résident(e)s du Québec (FMRQ) said the total number of residents in all specialties dipped this year to 879 from 943 last year, despite the........

© Montreal Gazette