The push to develop a national licensing system for physicians may not reduce the pressure on family doctors in Red Deer.
The Canadian Medical Association has been calling on governments to implement a pan-Canadian licensure which would eliminate the lengthy and costly application process to practice in other provinces.
The association says it would help alleviate the strain on health care by making physicians more mobile to serve patients in rural and remote communities. It would also support virtual care across provincial and territorial borders.
But Dr. Peter Bouch, with Red Deer Primary Care Network, wasn’t sure it would entice doctors to practice here, and may even cause local doctors to go elsewhere.
“The B.C. pull has been going on for a while. The government is quite friendly towards doctors there. It is possible we could lose doctors for sure, and we really can’t afford to lose,” Bouch said.
He said enhancing virtual care across borders could be beneficial to access specialists like psychiatrists, who are difficult to get appointments within Red Deer. But making a diagnosis over the phone for other doctors isn’t easy.
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He said the younger physicians are aware of the tension between doctors and Alberta’s current government and the need for a better provincial labour contract.
Recent reports of 22 empty family practice residency spots in Calgary and Edmonton is a blow for Alberta, he said.
“That’s a huge number. If the province can’t attract GPs, how is Red Deer going to attract down the road and even now.
“Clearly there must be some vibes out there that Alberta is not the best place to practice.”
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About 85 family doctors work in Red Deer and Blackfalds and nobody is taking new patients. Five are nearing retirement.
Bouch said about 10 more full-practice general practitioners are needed to take over from retiring doctors and expand services.
He said Red Deer PCN recently started working with Red Deer City Council and private enterprise on attracting doctors.
“(City council) knows there is a problem out there, and they want to attract physicians, so they’ve really been quite helpful working with us.”
Atlantic premiers have announced new regional licensing system for doctors, and Ontario is working on a bill for health workers registered anywhere in Canada to be eligible for immediate practice in the province.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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