Communities Welcome Family Doctors
Thousands of Nova Scotians will soon have better access to a family doctor.
Twelve new family doctors have begun, or will soon start, seeing patients in several communities, including Yarmouth, Kentville, Elmsdale, Pugwash, Springhill, Parrsboro, Annapolis Royal, Berwick and Musquodoboit Harbour.
"Too many Nova Scotians have had to wait too long to see a family doctor or go to their emergency department for basic care because they had no other choice," said Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson. "Improving access to family doctors and other health care providers is an important part of our commitment to provide better care sooner."
This is welcome news for communities like Yarmouth that have experienced challenges with recruiting and retaining family doctors.
"This is positive news for people in our community who do not currently have a family doctor and makes our area more attractive for families and businesses looking to relocate here," said Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney. "The people of Yarmouth and surrounding areas look forward to welcoming these new physicians to our community and helping them feel at home."
The province's recently released physician resource plan identified several ways to improve patient access to care through better planning and management. The province is working with district health authorities and other partners to increase the number of family doctors in rural areas.
Some of the initiatives include expanding the Family Medicine Residency Training Program to the Annapolis Valley and more agreements that provide funding for medical education in exchange for a doctor's commitment to work in a community in need.
"Through these and other programs such as relocation allowances, debt assistance and our new emergency department coverage program, government is working to ensure Nova Scotia has the doctors it needs where it needs them," said Mr. Wilson. "Our new collaborative emergency centres have also proven to be a valuable recruitment tool, with many doctors expressing interest in working in communities with CECs."
Dr. Alireza Shakib said the chance to be part of the All Saints Collaborative Emergency Centre was a positive opportunity.
"When I was making my decision on where I would like to work, the idea of being part of the new CEC team was very attractive," said Dr. Shakib, who recently began his family practice in Springhill. "Because the clinic is open evenings, we do work longer hours, but that means there are more appointments available for patients. Also, doctors do not have to work at night as there are paramedics and nurses providing emergency coverage."
Dr. Shakib is one of eight family doctors who recently accepted offers under the Clinician Assessment for Practice Program. The program assesses clinical skills of international medical graduate physicians to enter family practice without residency training in Canada.
Two doctors will be in Yarmouth, with others in Kentville, Elmsdale, Pugwash, Springhill, Parrsboro and Musquodoboit Harbour. They will have guidance from an experienced physician mentor and are expected to begin seeing patients over the next few months.
"We know it can be difficult for some areas of the province to recruit family doctors and are pleased that this program is helping to meet a growing need," said Dr. Gus Grant, registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, which operates the program in partnership with the district health authorities, Doctors Nova Scotia and the Department of Health and Wellness.
"Since we introduced it in 2005, the program has brought 57 new physicians to underserved communities in Nova Scotia."
Four other doctors recently began practicing in Annapolis Royal, Berwick, Musquodoboit Harbour and Springhill in the exchange for education program.
In addition to these 12, five more family medicine residents are committed when they complete their residencies in 2013.
For more information on the province's Better Care Sooner and Physician Resource Plans, visit www.novascotia.ca/dhw.