New Doctors for Rural B.C.
Prince George, B.C. – The provincial government has announced plans to treat the doctor shortage in rural B.C.
Today they’ve announced 14 internationally-trained physicians will begin practicing in rural and remote communities this month.
The Northern communities set to benefit are McBride, Hazelton, Quesnel, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John (two), and Terrace.
The 14 doctors represent the first group to participate in the new Practice Ready Assessment pilot program – an initiative designed to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors.
According to a government news release, the program requires “doctors undergo a rigorous assessment process” which includes “spending three months with a B.C. physician who evaluates their skills as they care for patients.”
Victoria says an additional 16 medical graduates will be assessed in the fall. The program cost $2.8 million and was funded by the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues.
The Ministry of Health says doctors in this program come from a variety of countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, India and China.
Comments
You know, the sad thing is, while it’s great we are getting these professionals, I suspect the above mentioned countries are probably worse off for medical care than we are. Not so sure about the morality of this.
ski51, as correct as you may be. I don’t think the planners of the program cared about stealing doctors from other countries. Yes, I am pretty sure Nigeria, India and China will miss these doctors.
I also wonder what their quality of life is in their home countries.
I think anyone should be able to follow their dreams and work where they want
Train our own students.
Train our own
Sorry, trouble with the iPad.
We do train our own, however the younger generation seems stuck on living in major urban centers. Northern Medical program has helped this region though.
I don’t like the “train our own” attitude either. Feels anti-immigration to me, and unless you’re first nations, your family immigrated here as well.
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