WINNIPEG (Staff) – A committee of doctors, students, government and community representatives is working on ways to attract and keep rural doctors.
The Physician Resource Committee should have long-term recommendations by the end of the year.
Here are some of the many problems identified and potential solutions:
- Problem: Studies show students with rural backgrounds are more likely to go into rural medicine. But students from rural areas are underrepresented in medical school. Dr. Robin Carter said a person who grew up in a city is four times more likely to study to become a doctor than a person who grew up in the country.
Read Also
Manitoba searches for Plan B on canola oil exports
A new report explores Manitoba’s current canola oil trade and possible alternative markets to the U.S.
Solution: The provincial government and Manitoba Medical Association produced a video to lure rural students into the career. Student Richard Kostyk said it sits on a shelf, but high school students might pay more attention if students and doctors traveled to schools.
- Problem: Rural students often face financial and personal problems living in the city.
Solution: Carter said a system to track potential rural medical students should be set up, and help given to those who are at risk of straying off-course.
- Problem: Urban medical students are used to the “milieu” of the city, said Kostyk, and often don’t want to practice in rural areas.
Solution: The University of Manitoba gives students a taste of rural practice by sending them to communities for experience and some summer placements. More exposure is needed. Kostyk said decentralizing medical education would make more urban students willing to give rural practice a try. However, this would require instructors in many remote areas – and a lot of provincial government money.
- Problem: Medical student Bittoo Malik, originally from Gilbert Plains, Man., said students who might be interested in rural practice are scared off by the long hours, limited continuing education opportunities and sense of professional isolation.
Solution: The committee recommends the government fund a pool of substitute doctors to temporarily fill in for rural doctors when needed. Kostyk said the government should also help doctors in remote locations with travel and other expenses for continuing education.
