The Alberta government announced July 28 that patients will soon be able to self-refer and pay privately for selected diagnostic imaging services. This includes MRI, CT, X-ray, and ultrasound scans. The policy aims to allow individuals quicker access to imaging without going through their primary care providers first.
MRTs warn of system strain
CAMRT-AB, representing nearly 3,000 medical radiation technologists in the province, supports the policy goal of better access. But the organization warns that the change could strain an already stretched system. MRTs already face workforce shortages, rising imaging volumes, and long wait times in parts of the province. The situation is not unique to Alberta; MRTs are in short supply nationwide.
Population growth and an aging demographic are driving up demand, leading to heavier workloads and recruitment challenges. In some communities, this has already resulted in reduced access or even closures. These pressures are not new, but with the new policy, they could be amplified. MRTs are essential to delivering diagnostic imaging, and their availability directly impacts the system's capacity to provide timely, high-quality care.
Education and training lag behind demand
Alberta struggles to train enough MRTs to meet current needs. Clinical placement capacity is limited, and training programs have not expanded to keep up with demand. Employers are competing for a shrinking pool of skilled workers. The government's new self-referral policy, according to CAMRT-AB, risks adding more strain to a system already running at full capacity. Even if the policy initially results in modest increases in demand, the long-term implications could be severe.
Kelly Masotti, CEO of CAMRT, said, 'Access to care cannot be separated from the people who deliver it safely.' She urged the province to invest in education, training, and long-term workforce planning. Without parallel investment in these areas, the policy could worsen existing shortages and lead to longer wait times for all Albertans.
Call for collaboration and oversight
CAMRT-AB is pushing for ongoing monitoring of imaging demand, patient outcomes, wait times, and workforce availability. The group also wants input from MRTs, who are central to delivering these services. MRTs are calling for a seat at the decision-making table, offering expertise in imaging appropriateness, radiation safety, and system capacity to help shape future policy.
Without these changes, CAMRT-AB warns the policy could backfire—worsening wait times for all Albertans and further depleting an already scarce workforce. The organization urges the government to include MRTs in discussions about operational impacts and future planning. Medical radiation technologists stand ready to contribute practical solutions to ensure the system remains safe, sustainable, and responsive to patient needs.