Last week at its press conference on Parliament Hill, CAMRT released its “National Report on Medical Radiation Technologists Workforce Crisis.” The report uses health data collected over the last ten years to demonstrate alarming and unsustainable vacancy rates in every discipline of medical radiation technology in Canada.
“MRTs play a critical role in our healthcare system. Their work touches the lives of every Canadian. More than 30 million medical imaging exams take place each year, and MRTs deliver radiation therapy for 50% of all cancer patients.,” says Kelly Masotti, CEO of CAMRT. “Medical imaging and radiation therapy are essential to modern healthcare—yet the workforce delivering these services is under unprecedented strain.”
“This report highlights a serious workforce crisis for MRTs, driven in part by burnout,” says Jenna MacLaine, President of CAMRT. “The majority of MRTs are experiencing signs of burnout and are thinking of leaving the profession in large numbers. Canada needs thousands more MRTs for a sustainable workforce.”
Key data points from the workforce crisis include:
- Demand for MRI and CT exams is outpacing growth in the MRT profession.
- 2025 vacancy rates have spiked significantly in general radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.
- MRT mental health surveys indicate emotional exhaustion as a key driver of burnout
Without concerted action and government assistance (at all levels) this crisis in medical imaging and radiation therapy will worsen. CAMRT is asking the federal government and provincial governments across the country to act now to support the MRT profession.