Putting together the pieces of the physician supply puzzle
CMAJ 2000;162:315
Increasing the number of medical students is not the answer to the physician supply problem [full article].1 As a retired rural practitioner, I speak from experience: Canada's current problem is the lack of rural physicians.
The problem exists because most university students were born and raised in the city, and these urban dwellers also account for most medical school applicants. Most likely, they will also marry another city person. If the spouse is a woman who grew up in Toronto or Winnipeg, will she wish to live in Geraldton or Minnedosa?
The answer to the problem is to increase the number of medical students who were born and raised in a rural setting. Before students are admitted to medical school, they should be advised that they will be obliged to serve in a rural town for 2 years. (I use the word "before" advisedly.) Perhaps an incentive such as a bursary during the 2 years of residency training in family medicine could be offered. Another possibility is differential fees for rural practitioners.
Alvin J. Elliott
Internist
Brandon, Man.
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Reference
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Stoddart GL, Barer ML. Will increasing medical school enrolment solve Canada's physician supply problems? [editorial]. CMAJ 1999;161(8):983-4.
© 2000 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
