Analyzing the Spatial Distribution and Language Abilities of Physicians in Alberta, Canada

This study combined public data and geospatial analysis to examine physicians’ language abilities and locations in Alberta, Canada, and produced an interactive map to allow patients and policymakers to view the data. We identified n=11,370 active physicians in the province of Alberta, of whom we further identified n=194 (1.7%) as University of Ottawa (uOttawa) graduates, n=955 (8.4%) as French-speaking, and n=4,965 (43.7%) as community-based family physicians. French-speaking physicians were concentrated in Census Division 6 (n=464, 48.6%) surrounding Calgary and Census Division 11 (n=356, 37.3%) surrounding Edmonton. Overall reported French-language ability was low, with just 955 (8.4%) of all active physicians reporting competency in French. uOttawa graduates (n=70, 36.1%) were much more likely to report French ability than graduates of other schools (n=885, 7.9%), women (n=457, 9.6%) were slightly more likely than men (n=497, 7.6%), and specialists (n=666, 10.4%) were more likely than family physicians (n=289, 5.8%). ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study was funded by the University of Ottawa. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This study used only openly available human data. Physician data was collected from the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons' (CPSA) "Physician Search" website the week of January 31, 2023 at https://search.cpsa.ca/ . I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Physician information is available online at https://search.cpsa.ca/ . The authors' processed data is not presently available.