Cape Breton group thinks outside the box to recruit and retain doctors
A community group in Glace Bay, N.S., has taken it upon themselves to try and recruit physicians -- and so far it's been a success.
Bay It Forward’s efforts are paying off at a time when the number of people without a family doctor continues to grow in the province.
“We're very proud over the last three to four years and even through COVID we've been able to recruit three new doctors for Glace Bay,” says member David MacKeigan.
Currently, there are more than 100,000 people without a family physician in Nova Scotia. While government recruitment and retention efforts continue, communities are becoming more involved.
In Glace Bay, potential doctors are taken on a tour of the Miners Museum, a boat ride along the shoreline and jigging for mackerel.
“It's very important, because most of the doctors have families and they want to know that these communities are a great place to raise their children and spend the rest of their lives and make it their forever home,” says MacKeigan.
A similar effort is underway in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. The community is working with the local Muslim community to establish the town's first mosque and to retain Muslim doctors.
“Governments and health authorities are doing their thing trying to find people and get them here,” says Mayor Percy Farwell. “I think a big part of our job is to make sure when they get here they have a lifestyle and experience that will make them want to stay. We can't be in a constant cycle of crisis management.”
In a province with more than half a million people, nearly a quarter are without a family doctor.
Farwell says it's important to think outside the box and in his community it's all about inclusion.
“We try to create awareness in the community that we have fellow citizens here who are celebrating something different than we're use to celebrating,” he says. “It might not be Christmas or Easter, and it might not be something that we fully understand, but we could learn a lot from and we could support them and celebrate with them.”
“I think that anything you can do that makes physicians more comfortable in their community, makes them feel more welcome, makes them feel more at home is going to pay off in results” says Cape Breton physician Margaret Fraser.
Fraser applauds Gander's efforts and says Cape Breton has lost doctors in the past because some resources were not available to them.
“We need to think so far outside of the box that there's no box, because what we've been doing for years isn't working and we have a real problem.”
Bay It Forward says the first step is getting a doctor to commit to coming to the community. The second step is making them feel comfortable and getting them to stay.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.