[LabComm] James Proposes Plan to Address Doctor Shortage

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

James Proposes Plan to Address Doctor Shortage



VANCOUVER - The NDP would increase the number of foreign-trained doctors practicing in BC as a way to alleviate the province's doctor shortage, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

James said that British Columbians would benefit by increasing the number of general and specialized residencies for foreign-trained doctors and by developing national assessment standards for doctors trained outside Canada.

"Foreign-trained doctors are an untapped resource for BC's ailing health care system," said James.  "Over the last four years, the Gordon Campbell government has done nothing to make it easier for foreign-trained doctors to get the credentials they need to practice in BC.  My plan would change that."

Currently there are only six residencies available to foreign-trained doctors.  The NDP would increase the number of residencies to 20 for general practitioners and create five new residencies for specialists, giving more foreign-trained doctors the opportunity to use their skills helping patients in communities throughout BC.

James said the additional residencies require a $5 million annual commitment from the province.   She said the additional funding provides good value for money, given that the expense of educating these doctors has been borne outside BC.  

"Currently, British Columbia is training too few doctors to meet current and future demand," said James.  "Moving now to increase the number of foreign-trained doctors practicing in BC is a critical step towards alleviating immediate health care pressures, particularly in rural communities."

James said her plan also includes a commitment to work with the federal government to ensure new money allocated in the recent federal budget for foreign-trained doctors is used to develop national assessment standards to ensure foreign-trained doctors meet the high Canadian standards for treatment.

"Providing for the health care needs of British Columbians requires a comprehensive approach to doctor training and recruitment," said James.  "My plan to put foreign-trained doctors in practice is an important and cost-effective part of the solution."


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BACKROUNDER					    

Foreign-Trained Doctors in BC

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"We have to attract and retain more foreign-trained doctors and nurses. A BC Liberal government will increase training spaces and recruitment of foreign-trained nurses and physicians."
-- BC Liberal Party, New Era Platform, p. 24

"It's a Catch-22. They have to complete a residency but there are almost no residencies for them."
-- Patrick Coady, Coordinator, BC Internationally Trained Professionals Network, Vancouver Sun, February 4, 2005. 

"If we train and fast-track all the [Internationally-trained] doctors in Canada, we would fill almost 50 per cent of our shortfall."
-- Dr. William Clement, Vancouver Sun, February 4, 2005. 

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THE ARGUMENT FOR FOREIGN TRAINED DOCTORS

BC requires more than 400 new physicians each year to replace those retiring, moving to other jurisdictions, or reducing the time spent practicing. This number is required to maintain current levels of practicing doctors, and even more will be required as our population grows. Presently, there are not enough medical graduates in BC to meet this demand.

A study by the Association of Canadian Medical Colleges shows that B.C. has only 3.2 medical school spaces per 100,000 people, the lowest of any province. By comparison, Alberta and Quebec each have 6.7 spaces, Saskatchewan has 5.8, and Ontario has five. 

Although the provincial government has promised funding to double medical school spaces by 2010, the results will not be seen for many years and will still remain far short of the province's and patients' needs.

The investments in domestic training will only be realized over the long term, as medical training, even to be a GP, takes a minimum of six years from program entry to graduation. 

The Liberals have done nothing to expand the opportunities for foreign-trained doctors to practice in BC.


BC IS IN COMPETITION FOR TRAINED DOCTORS

All across Canada, physician recruitment is a key priority as shortages are being realised in many provinces, including Alberta and Ontario. Not only do we need to be training more doctors within our boarders, but we also need to be taking advantage of the trained doctors coming to Canada and British Columbia. 

Currently there are only six residencies available to foreign-trained doctors, and none available for specialist residencies.

By comparison, Alberta currently funds 23 family practice residencies and 5 specialist residencies for foreign-trained doctors coming to that province.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE	

The 2005/06 federal budget invested $75 million over three years to be spent on developing an assessment program that evaluates the equivalence of training in countries outside what has been informally described as "Group A" countries (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the US). 

Currently, Group A doctors can practice immediately upon entering British Columbia.

In simple economic terms, investing in foreign doctors residencies to ensure their ability to practice here in BC - particularly in rural settings - makes sense.

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