Australia, which used to rely on the United Kingdom to help meet its need for rural physicians, is now gazing toward Canada. And that may be bad news for small Canadian communities facing their own physician shortages.
"As our dollar weakened against the English pound and the general conditions of UK GPs improved, it has become less attractive for English graduates to work here," explained Dr. Felicity Jefferies, a recruiter with the Western Australian Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine. "We thought it would be worth while to pursue Canadian family physicians, especially those working in rural areas."
Some Canadian doctors appear interested. Jefferies said a recent advertisement in CMAJ (Dec. 14, p. 1617) attracted about 20 enquiries. "The majority were from doctors with young families looking for a working holiday, but I had a few from older doctors whose families have grown up and who are anxious to try something new."
Jefferies is hoping to fill locum positions lasting 3 months to 2 years, although permanent assignments can be arranged. "The aim is to give our rural doctors a chance for a holiday," she said.
Western Australia, which has a population of 1.8 million, has 380 rural GPs and advertises 50 vacancies each quarter. Australia produces 400 new GPs a year, including 42 in Western Australia; Canada produces about 800 new FPs annually.
Jefferies tries to attract Canadians by offering free airfare to physicians coming for at least 6 months. She also ensures that their immigration and medical board requirements are met. Doctors accepting the offer are paid at least Aus$2250 (roughly Cdn$2150) a week, along with a free house and car.
Did Jefferies learn anything during a recent recruiting trip to Canada? "I realized that you have exactly the same problem that we do in recruiting rural doctors," she said.