$100,000 and a gym membership offer; Small Canadian communities with big plans to attract doctors

 

A shortage of family doctors is creating a crisis in communities across Canada. As a solution to this, municipalities make many promises to attract doctors. Some communities are reportedly offering doctors $100,000 to gym memberships. It is estimated that more than six million people in Canada do not have access to the services of a primary care physician. It can cause the health condition of people to deteriorate. The shortage of doctors is also putting pressure on the health care system. The problem is acute outside major urban centers.

Doctors by the Bay, a physician recruitment program in Trenton, Ontario, is offering $100,000 to new doctors or medical residents interested in full-time family practice in the area. But the physicians recruited in this way have to work in the field for five years. The program has recruited 18 family physicians to the field over the past seven years. But Paula Mason, former chair of the Canadian Society of Physician Recruitment, said the growing demand is creating more strain and will require more doctors.

Municipalities are trying to recruit doctors through various schemes in many communities. Doctors are lured by offering gym membership and other perks, not just extra money.