An overview of Canadian physician work force databases.

Physician-resource planning activities have increased dramatically in Canada since the release of the Barer-Stoddart report, "Toward Integrated Medical Resource Policies for Canada" in 1991. One of the key concepts of the Barer-Stoddart report is the "medical career life cycle," beginning with entry to medical school and ending with exit from practice. To apply this concept in a planning context, it is essential to have a current information base that will contain data on numbers of physicians, where they are, what they do, and how active they are. In addition, a longitudinal capability is important for understanding issues such as retention and attrition. The objective of this article is to review and assess recent initiatives in the establishment of physician-resource databases in Canada by medical associations, governments, licensing bodies, certifying colleges, and other groups with a respect to comprehensiveness and comparability of key data elements and their ability to address key policy questions in physician-resource planning and to identify opportunities for collaboration and links.