Nova Scotia faces a shortage of doctors, but there may be a solution in the form of internationally trained physicians.
According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, there are currently 3,000 doctors practicing in the province. However, it is estimated that an additional 100 doctors are needed to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.
To address this issue, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) has been working to recruit internationally trained doctors. These are physicians who have completed their medical education and training in other countries, but are not yet licensed to practice in Canada.
The NSHA has partnered with the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration to develop a program that helps these doctors navigate the process of obtaining a medical license in Canada. This includes providing support with exams, language proficiency, and cultural competency.
Dr. Lynne Harrigan, the NSHA’s executive director of physician recruitment, says that this program has been successful in bringing in new doctors to the province. In 2020, 20 internationally trained doctors were recruited, and another 20 are expected to join in 2021.
One of these doctors is Dr. Nour Alkhalil, who moved to Nova Scotia from Syria in 2018. After completing the necessary exams and training, she is now working as a family physician in Halifax.
Dr. Alkhalil says that the support she received from the NSHA and the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration was crucial in helping her navigate the complex process of obtaining a medical license in Canada. She also notes that the cultural competency training she received was invaluable in helping her understand the Canadian healthcare system and the needs of her patients.
The NSHA is also working to address the shortage of doctors in rural areas of the province. Through the Nova Scotia Practice Ready Assessment Program, internationally trained doctors are placed in rural communities for a period of time to gain experience and become familiar with the healthcare needs of these areas. This program has been successful in retaining doctors in these communities, with a 90% retention rate after two years.
While there are still challenges to overcome, such as the lengthy process of obtaining a medical license and the need for more resources to support these doctors, the recruitment of internationally trained physicians is proving to be a promising solution to Nova Scotia’s doctor shortage.
With the continued efforts of the NSHA and the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration, it is hoped that more internationally trained doctors will be able to join the healthcare workforce in the province, providing much-needed care to the people of Nova Scotia.
