Re: "Northern Health hoping to fill specialists gap" July 29 Citizen.
It was stated that "The reason why dermatology is such a difficult area to recruit to is that there's a shortage of dermatologists across the whole country."
This is only partially true. The real reason is that dermatology fees are 10th highest (i.e. lowest) in the country and 46 per cent below the average in fees across Canada (based on 2012-13 data). Also UBC is not training enough dermatologists. As of today there are 25 openings for dermatologists on Health Match BC. This would take at least 9 years of graduating residents from UBC to fill (assuming all graduating residents stayed in B.C.).
This issue has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Health, UBC, and doctors of BC over the past several years with no result. In fact, this year UBC added another dermatology resident, but for Saudi Arabia! With this type of (in)action, the situation in Prince George will not be solved for years and years to come. And many patients will have to take the 11 hour bus ride to the Lower Mainland to access a dermatologist like a recent 91 year old patient of mine had to do.
Evert Tuyp, MD, FRCPC
President, BC Section of Dermatology
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Dermatology and Skin Science
