opinion: why canada must act on access to dermatology care
the access problem is even more severe in dermatology, where there are just over 800 dermatologists to treat the entire population of nearly 40 million canadians
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for time-sensitive conditions such as skin cancer, every month of delay can mean the difference between a straightforward treatment and a life-threatening outcome.
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a recent statistics canada study confirms what patients and health providers have known for years: canada’s health system is falling short when it comes to timely access to specialist care.
the data is stark with 36 per cent of canadians waiting three months or more for an initial consultation with a medical specialist, with nearly two-thirds saying those delays significantly impact their lives through anxiety, pain and deterioration of their health. these delays don’t just affect patients—they place additional strain on our healthcare system as people turn elsewhere for help while waiting to see a specialist.
the problem is even more severe in dermatology, where there are just over 800 dermatologists to treat the entire population of nearly 40 million canadians. we see it in ottawa and across the country. that shortage leaves patients waiting months, with some facing waits of a year or more. behind every statistic are people whose lives are put on hold and whose lifestyles are impacted: babies who cry through the night because of severe eczema, professionals struggling to work through the pain and emotional toll of psoriasis and families waiting in fear for a melanoma diagnosis.
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these delays aren’t just inconvenient, they are dangerous and put patients’ lives at risk. for time-sensitive conditions such as skin cancer, every month of delay can mean the difference between a straightforward treatment and a life-threatening outcome. for chronic conditions, long waits allow diseases to progress, increasing physical suffering, financial burden, mental strain and ultimately the cost to our health system.
that is why the canadian dermatology association (cda) is calling for action. earlier this year, we released more than skin deep, a national advocacy platform that lays out solutions to reduce wait times. these solutions include expanding team-based models of care, increasing public awareness, leveraging technology and innovation and ensuring targeted investments in the dermatology health workforce. these are not abstract ideas—they are practical steps that would improve access to care and outcomes for patients.
for too long, canadians have been asked to settle for marginal changes. the result has been longer waits, worsening outcomes and growing frustration. dermatology may be a smaller specialty, but the consequences of delay are anything but small.
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this fall, cda members are meeting with decision-makers across the country with a clear message: adopting the recommendations in more than skin deep isn’t just smart policy—it’s an urgent imperative. patients deserve more than the promise of future reform. they deserve timely, equitable and effective care today.
canada can no longer afford to wait. neither can our patients.
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