Complaints against Alberta doctors have spiked over the past year, jumping by 37 per cent.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta received 756 complaints last year, compared to 550 complaints in 2008.

The disturbing statistics didn't surprise one woman approached by CTV News outside an Edmonton medical clinic.

Miranda Zacharias says she's so unhappy with the healthcare system in Alberta, she's moving back to her home province of Manitoba.

Zacharias isn't happy she's had to wait at least two hours to see a doctor.

"I can't get a family doctor because everyone is just too booked," said Zacharias. "They're not taking new patients."

Zacharias has never filed a formal complaint but many other Albertans did in the past year.

"We can't pinpoint the reason for this marked increase," notes Dr. Trevor Theman, registrar for the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. "But it has certainly caught our attention. Our best guess is that the increase is the result of several factors – including higher demands on the health care system, a shortage of physicians, increased wait times, or unclear communication between physicians and their patients regarding patient care expectations and health outcomes."

Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Health and Wellness, says he's looking for some clarification behind the numbers.

"What does it mean when you have a complaint against a doctor," questioned Zwozdesky, "Because that's a lot different I suspect than a complaint about the health system."

Critics say the government has to take some responsibility.

"The system is not supporting professionals in doing their job," said David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberal Party. "It's creating time constraints, delayed access and frustrated patients."

Nearly half of the complaints were multi-layered which means the complainants were unhappy with more than one issue.

A thorough investigation of every complaint is being conducted by the college. The investigation includes an interview with the complainant, an interview with the doctor who is the subject of the complaint, a review of medical charts and interviews with other health care providers or witnesses.

The vast majority of complaints are resolved during the investigative process. In rare circumstances, the complaint goes to a formal disciplinary hearing. Five hearings were held related to complaints made in 2008.

With files from CTV's Dez Melenka.