By paNOW Staff

Physician Recruitment Agency reveals long-term goals in Saskatchewan

Nov 7, 2010 | 10:18 AM

paNOW

The Physician Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan revealed three goals to be accomplished over the next three years at the Saskatchewan Medical Association Conference in Regina over the weekend.

Dr. Ed Mantler, CEO of the Physician Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan, says the goals will help to solve the problem of retention and recruitment of Saskatchewan doctors.

“(The goals are to) improve our retention of university of Saskatchewan Medical School graduates in the province; increase the overall percentage of Canadian-trained physicians working in the province and improve the retention of physicians (overall),” he said.

Recruitment and retention is a complicated and long-standing issue in Saskatchewan.

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Mantler says there needs to be a lot of effort put into building relationships with students and residents.

“Really making sure that they stay engaged with the province, and are aware that opportunities are here for them to work as physicians.”

He says they're working on building a harmonized process for recruitment, which would allow for the sharing and application of successful recruiting techniques by everyone.

Mantler acknowledges the province has a revolving door of physicians.

“We know that the people of Saskatchewan are best served by an enduring relationship with a physician,” he said.

Mantler says the rural doctor shortages aren't just a Saskatchewan issue, but are Canada-wide and world-wide one as well.

The agency is working on building a database that will help match physicians with a community where they will feel comfortable. The matching is based on the doctor’s skills, attributes and desires and what the community has to offer.

Dr. Mantler claims the strategies needed to meet the goals have to be innovative, creative and robust.

“We’re bringing together a large group of stakeholders, which will include physicians, students and residents, and regional health authorities and other key players within the health system to help us build that plan of action.”

Mantler is confident the agency will meet these goals in time once plans are in action.