The move led some doctors to publicly consider leaving Alberta, with the provincial government having identified more than 200 rural doctors reconsidering their practices in April. In some communities, doctors have followed through with the decision, with five Stettler physicians announcing in September their plans to leave Alberta.
Recently proposed rules by Alberta’s regulatory college for doctors would prevent doctors from quitting en masse, requiring physicians to stagger their departures.
Yearwood said the fractured relationship between doctors and the government presents a significant opportunity for other jurisdictions looking to bring in more physicians.
“These doctors are talking about leaving, and I’m in the business of supporting doctors, so if they’re going to leave I would like them to come to us,” Yearwood said. “With the news out of Alberta, with all the disenchanted doctors, I chose to take this approach to get right to the heart of the matter.”
The campaign hasn’t resulted in considerable uptake yet, Yearwood said, but traffic to his company’s website has surged. He said he expects to be in touch with more doctors in the upcoming weeks and months.
Calgary has been B.C.’s main competition in recruiting doctors over the past decade, said Yearwood. He called it the “destination of choice” for many, with factors like a better billing system, lower taxes and lower property costs central to the city’s success. But the tide now seems to be turning.
“We were behind the eight-ball financially for a long time but recent changes have more or less levelled the playing field,” he said.
Though part of the Denning Health Group campaign takes a political angle, Yearwood said the company is also looking to lure doctors with warmer weather and competitive compensation.
The Alberta government has said that despite a spotlight on doctors leaving the province, this year has seen a net gain in physicians in Alberta.
Twitter: @jasonfherring
Source:- Calgary Herald
