Montreal’s contribution to the Quebec anesthesia workforce: a comparison between anesthesia residents trained at McGill University and those trained at Université de Montréal

Alumni from McGill University (MAA) and alumni from Université de Montréal (UMA) anesthesia residency programs were compared with regard to demographic characteristics and practice location.

McGill University alumni and UMA (1990-2010) were studied according to age, sex, pre-anesthesia education, fellowship training, advanced research training, and practice location. Logistic regression analysis of demographics in relation to practice location was performed.

Alumni were mostly male (MAA [n = 102]; male:female 72 [71%]: 30 [29%] vs UMA [n = 89]; male:female 51 [57%]: 38 [43%]) in their early thirties [mean 32; standard deviation (3.2) and 32 (3.0), respectively]. Approximately 45% of MAA obtained an undergraduate education in provinces other than Quebec compared with 6% of UMA. A majority of alumni from either institution practice in Quebec (MAA 67%; UMA 94%). Of the MAA who received undergraduate education in Quebec, approximately 80% practice in that province compared with approximately 46% of those who were educated in other provinces. Fellowship training for MAA who work in Quebec or in other provinces was similar (68%). About one-third (33%) of UMA who work in Quebec obtained fellowship training. All alumni who received undergraduate education abroad (MAA n = 9; UMA n = 1) practice in Quebec. Three MAA and one UMA practice in the USA. Regression analysis suggests that working in Quebec is associated with obtaining an undergraduate medical education in that province (odds ratio 4.3; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 21.2).

The majority of MAA and UMA practice in Quebec, particularly if they received their undergraduate education there. Residents educated (undergraduate) in the rest of Canada are more likely to practice in other provinces. Residents with undergraduate education from abroad are highly likely to practice anesthesia in Quebec. A small portion of alumni elect to practice anesthesia in the USA.