Canadian Developmental Pediatrics Workforce Survey

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental conditions are common, and many of these conditions benefit from specialized developmental assessments or services from a developmental pediatric clinic. There is limited data about the supply of developmental pediatric subspecialists and limited knowledge about the sustainability of the current workforce providing this care in Canada. OBJECTIVES: To understand the current Canadian developmental pediatric workforce, we conducted a survey to determine: (1) The demographic profile of developmental pediatric professionals who comprise the current workforce and their career plans; (2) The challenges and trends to inform future resource planning; and (3) Opportunities for innovative provision of developmental care in pediatrics. DESIGN/METHODS: A 31-item questionnaire was cross-sectionally distributed to practicing developmental pediatricians in Canada. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and Canadian Pediatric Society Section of Developmental Pediatrics assisted with the distribution of the survey to its membership. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 145 participants completed the study (91% response). Forty-six percent (n = 65) of the participants had >20 years of experience. Within the next 3 to 5 years, 23% (n = 32) of respondents' plan to retire completely from practice. Trends influencing the present workload of developmental pediatricians included: (1) requirements for translation services (endorsed by 70% of respondents); (2) coordination issues with multidisciplinary assessments (endorsed by 64%); and (3) the influence of government funding resources for specific neurodevelopmental disorders (endorsed by 32%). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing issues affecting developmental pediatrician workload and increasing the developmental pediatric workforce will be vital to address current needs. The viability of specialized developmental care in Canada will rely on recruitment and identifying barriers that inhibit trainees and physicians from choosing to practice in the field of developmental pediatrics.