New Brunswick's Doctor Shortage

As of 2020, there are approximately 1810 active physicians in New Brunswick, with the majority based in Saint John, which is home to around one-third of the province's population. This number has been steadily increasing over the past few years, thanks to initiatives by the provincial government to attract more doctors to the region. New Brunswick has a higher doctor-to-population ratio than the national average, meaning residents have relatively easy access to medical care. However, there are still some areas considered underserved, often rural and remote communities, where it is more challenging to attract physicians.

Doctor shortage in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has been facing a doctor shortage, with thousands of residents waiting for a family doctor. As of December 31, 2021, 44,226 people were registered with Patient Connect New Brunswick, a service that matches residents with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. This issue is particularly prominent in rural areas of the province, where access to healthcare has been challenging even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town of Sackville, New Brunswick, for example, faces not only a shortage of doctors but also a lack of nurses and lab technicians. This has led to temporary closures of their local hospital, forcing patients to seek treatment in other towns. The Deputy Mayor of Sackville has called on the provincial health minister to address this issue by providing more healthcare workers in their area.

The doctor shortage in New Brunswick is part of a broader challenge in the province to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and specialists. As of 2015, New Brunswick had 1,674 doctors and specialists, which is approximately 222 doctors per 100,000 people or one doctor for every 450 residents. This is lower than the Canadian average of 228 doctors per 100,000 people.

The New Brunswick Medical Society acknowledges the difficulty of recruiting physicians, especially in rural areas with increasing needs. They aim to work with the government to address this issue and improve access to family doctors for the residents of New Brunswick.

Despite the challenges, the provincial health minister, Benoit Bourque, asserts that the overall state of healthcare in New Brunswick is "going very well." He acknowledges that recruitment of healthcare professionals is a challenge but emphasizes that it is not solely about money. Instead, he believes that providing great work conditions and a good work-life balance is crucial for attracting healthcare workers.

Doctor recruitment in New Brunswick

As of 2020, there were approximately 1810 active physicians in New Brunswick, a number that has been steadily increasing over the years. This increase is due in part to initiatives by the provincial government to attract more doctors to the province. Despite this, New Brunswick has seen a decrease in the number of doctors in recent years, with 53 fewer physicians in 2015 than the previous year.

The provincial government has implemented a new recruitment strategy, amalgamating recruitment efforts to work together rather than individually. This strategy aims to address the challenge of recruiting healthcare professionals, with a particular focus on attracting doctors to rural and remote communities, where it can be difficult to establish practices.

To incentivize doctors to set up practices in these underserved areas, the New Brunswick government has offered financial incentives. These incentives have been successful, with a slow but steady increase in the number of doctors in these communities. The government is also working to attract more medical students to the province by offering incentives such as reduced tuition and loan forgiveness programs for those who commit to practicing in underserved communities after graduation.

New Brunswick has the second-highest proportion of female doctors in Canada, with 38% of its physicians being female. This trend is also seen in the province's medical schools in Saint John and Dieppe, where the majority of students are female.

The majority of New Brunswick's physicians are based in the city of Saint John, which is home to approximately one-third of the province's population. Other significant hubs include Moncton, Fredericton, and Miramichi, all served by regional hospitals that provide care across the province. Despite these hubs, some areas remain underserved, particularly in rural and remote regions.

New Brunswick has a higher-than-average doctor-to-population ratio compared to the national average, meaning residents generally have good access to medical care. However, there are still challenges, particularly regarding wait times and ensuring equal access across the province. Initiatives like Patient Connect NB and NB Health Link have been implemented to improve access by matching patients with family doctors or nurse practitioners, even while they wait for a permanent provider.

Female doctors in New Brunswick

New Brunswick has seen a decrease in the number of doctors in recent years, with 53 fewer physicians in 2015 than the previous year. Despite this, the province has the second-highest proportion of female doctors in Canada, tied with Ontario. Of New Brunswick's 1,674 doctors and specialists, 641 are female, representing 38% of the province's physicians. This trend is also seen in medical schools in Saint John and Dieppe, where female students make up about 60% of the cohort.

Dr. Katelyn Mathers, a recent graduate who plans to establish her practice in Fredericton, highlights the strengths that female physicians bring to the table. She believes that female doctors can relate to their patients, especially female patients, quite well. As women tend to use the medical system more than men, she emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with female patients.

The high proportion of female doctors in New Brunswick contributes to a diverse and inclusive healthcare system. This diversity is beneficial in meeting the varying needs of patients and ensuring that everyone has access to quality care. While the overall number of physicians in New Brunswick has decreased, the presence of dedicated female doctors helps to address the healthcare needs of the province's population.

Despite the high proportion of female doctors, there are still challenges in the province's healthcare system. Statistics Canada estimates that more than 9% of New Brunswick's population, or approximately 70,000 people, are without a family doctor. This has led to long wait lists for family physicians, impacting the accessibility of healthcare services for many residents. However, the provincial government has implemented initiatives such as Patient Connect NB and NB Health Link to match patients with healthcare providers and improve access to care.

In summary, while New Brunswick faces a shortage of doctors, the province boasts a high proportion of female physicians who play a crucial role in delivering healthcare services. The presence of female doctors enhances the quality of patient care and contributes to a more inclusive medical system. Efforts to address the doctor shortage and improve access to healthcare continue to be a priority for the provincial government and healthcare providers.

Doctor-to-population ratio in New Brunswick

As of 2020, there were approximately 1,810 active physicians in New Brunswick, which translates to about 222 doctors per 100,000 population, or roughly 1 doctor for every 450 people. This puts the province above the Canadian national average of 228 doctors per 100,000 people.

The doctor-to-population ratio in New Brunswick is higher than the national average, meaning residents generally have better access to medical care compared to other parts of the country. However, there are still some areas, particularly rural and remote communities, that are considered underserved and face challenges in attracting physicians.

To address this issue, the New Brunswick government has implemented financial incentives for doctors who choose to practice in these areas, and the number of doctors in these underserved communities has been slowly increasing. The government has also been working to attract more medical students to the province by offering incentives such as reduced tuition and loan forgiveness programs for students who commit to practicing in underserved areas after graduation.

Despite these efforts, in 2018, Statistics Canada estimated that more than nine per cent of New Brunswick's population, or approximately 70,000 people, were without a family doctor. This figure includes those on the waiting list for a family physician, which stood at 25,000 people at the time. However, it is important to note that this number may include people who already have a family doctor but are looking to switch to a different provider.

Initiatives to attract doctors to New Brunswick

As of 2020, there are approximately 1810 active physicians in New Brunswick, a number that has been steadily increasing over the past few years. This increase is due, in part, to initiatives by the provincial government to attract more doctors to the province. Here are some of the initiatives and strategies that have been implemented to achieve this:

Financial Incentives

The New Brunswick government has been addressing the issue of doctor shortages in rural and remote communities by providing financial incentives for doctors who choose to practice in these areas. These incentives have contributed to a slow but steady increase in the number of doctors serving underserved communities.

Centralized Recruitment

In 2015, the provincial government announced a strategy to amalgamate recruitment efforts, centralizing them rather than having multiple places trying to recruit physicians on their own. This initiative aimed to streamline the recruitment process and make it more efficient.

Reduced Tuition and Loan Forgiveness for Medical Students

New Brunswick is also working to attract more medical students to the province by offering incentives such as reduced tuition fees and loan forgiveness programs. These incentives are available for students who commit to practicing in underserved communities after completing their medical education.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Communities like Nackawic have successfully attracted doctors by engaging and collaborating with various stakeholders, including the local economic development corporation, the province, and the Chalmers Foundation. Fundraisers, recruitment meetings, and renovations to the community health centre were also crucial factors in their successful recruitment efforts.

Work-Life Balance

While pay is a factor in physician recruitment, New Brunswick's Health Minister, Benoit Bourque, emphasizes that it's not just about money. He highlights the importance of providing great work conditions and promoting a healthy work-life balance for doctors. This approach considers the well-being of physicians and recognizes that factors beyond remuneration influence their career decisions.

Virtual Care Options

The province has also introduced virtual care options like NB Health Link, which provide New Brunswickers with access to health care while they wait for a permanent provider. While this initiative was initially intended to reduce pressure on the healthcare system, it has also drawn doctors away from conventional family practices. As a result, the New Brunswick Medical Society advocates for a balance between promoting virtual care and incentivizing doctors to maintain community-based practices.

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