13% Of Canadian Trained Doctors Would Consider Returning From The United States

Editor's Choice
Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health;  Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 11 Oct 2007 - 11:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Approximately 13% of doctors in the United States who were trained in Canada would seriously consider returning to Canada and practice medicine back home, according to a report by the Canadian Medical Association. The report also indicated that half of the 1,539 total survey respondents would be interested in receiving more information from the Canadian Medical Association about practicing opportunities in Canada.

In April, 2007, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) wrote to 5,156 Canadian-trained doctors aged less than 55 who work in the USA. 32% (1,539) of them responded. The majority (60%) of the respondents had left Canada during the 1990s - this coincided with a period of funding cuts, which in turn undermined physician morale in Canada.

According to the CMA, during the period 1991-2004 Canada lost 4,014 doctors more to the United States than it gained.

Colin McMillan, who was CMA President when the survey took place, said "We are encouraged to see that in the last 2 years the southward flow of physicians has reversed, with Canada enjoying a net gain of 55 physicians (from the US) in 2004 and 61 in 2005. We are now trying to determine how we can focus our recruitment efforts on physicians who used to practice in Canada."

The survey consisted of specialists 71% and primary care physicians 24%. 54% of all the respondents had practiced in Canada prior to leaving for the USA - just over half of them had been practicing for under five years.

The respondent gave four major reasons for leaving Canada:

-- Money 52%
-- Availability of medical facilities and services 51%
-- Job vacancies 45.2%
-- Clinical autonomy 37.9%

When they were asked what might entice them back to Canada, they said:

-- Money 70.6%
-- Practice opportunities 67.9%
-- Having family nearby 61%
-- Workplace flexibility 60.4%

The report also pointed out that incomes for doctors a still much higher in the USA than they are in Canada; most of the respondents have practices in the USA which are well established; there are licensing problems (refusal to recognize US certification).

The CMA explained in its report that it is all well and good that a sizeable number would be interested to hear about opportunities back home. However, the enticements must be competitive.

Canadian Medical Association

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations