The average age of doctors in Ontario is increasing while the amount of hours they're working is declining, an annual survey by the province's medical regulatory body said Wednesday.

The average age of practising physicians is 51, up from 49 in 2000, the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons said.

The survey, conducted last year, also said more specialists are approaching retirement and the proportion of family doctors relative to specialists is declining.

A new survey points to an increased shortage of physicians.
A new survey points to an increased shortage of physicians.

"Few physicians in family practice are able to take on new patients," said Dr. Gerry Rowland, president of the College.

The percentage of family physicians accepting new patients has dropped from 39 per cent in 2000 to 16.5 per cent in 2004, the survey said.

Rowland said the looming doctor shortage is an alarming trend which government must address.

"This year's survey shows how Ontario's physician population and work patterns have changed over a relatively short period of time. Many of the trends are alarming and demand the immediate attention of government," Rowland said.

"The results ... illustrate the sheer magnitude of the physician resource challenge," he added. Ontario has more than 27,000 doctors; about 22,000 responded to the survey.

It showed 36 per cent of physicians were 55 years of age or older. That is expected to hit 57 per cent within a decade.

The trend will make it more difficult for patients to get health care, partly because the older doctors tend to work more hours than their younger colleagues, the report said.

It said 55 per cent of male and 39 per cent of female doctors were working more than 40 hours a week, down from 70 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, four years earlier.

The problem is compounded by retirements, which are expected to outstrip the number of new physicians, and the province's rising number of seniors who will need medical care.