Interest in physician-buyout packages grows as more doctors contemplate retirement.

Provincial governments are turning to voluntary retirement programs, buyouts and phase-outs to help manage physician supply. Demographic data show that in 1996 nearly 27% of Canada's active physicians were aged 55 or older and that the average age of retiring physicians was 68. Although 1 goal of such programs is to give willing older physicians the financial ability to retire, provinces also hope to do away with some billing numbers.