Province announces support, mentoring program for doctors new to Manitoba – Winnipeg Free Press

Dr. Nichelle Desilets says a new provincially funded program to mentor and support doctors has been a huge help in her early years of practice in Manitoba.

“I've been fortunate to join a good group of doctors — there are eight of us here — but it's all very busy,” said Desilets, a family physician who has practiced in Neepawa for more than eight years.

“This new program has many advantages. We want our future colleagues to be well-received and supported, and if they have that, we hope they'll stay here.”

The province announced Thursday it will spend $300,000 over each of the next four years on the New Practice program in partnership with Manitoba Doctors.

The program plans to build support networks with experienced doctors who offer help for new doctors to find practice and make professional connections, along with things like helping couples find jobs and access day care for their children.

Physicians Manitoba is currently hiring for a program manager.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said she hopes the program will help practice doctors in Manitoba and reduce burnout among many doctors.

“Every Manitoban deserves quality care close to home,” Asagwara said in a statement Thursday. “To make sure that happens, we need to attract more doctors and keep doctors in our system that works in Manitoba.

“This initiative will allow all physicians new to practice in Manitoba to receive the support and encouragement they need to thrive and provide good care to Manitobans. It shows the profession that we understand the requirements of their work, especially in the beginning, and we can help them.”

Manitoba, like other parts of the country, has a shortage of doctors, especially in family practice.

Last year's Manitoba Physicians Report found the province had the lowest number of family doctors per capita in the country: 111 for every 100,000 Manitobans.The Canadian average is 124.

Because of the difficulty recruiting doctors to come here, a family doctor who runs two clinics north of Winnipeg said he recently had to shell out $700,000 of his own money to hire 10 doctors from Britain.

The money included a $17,000 incentive payment for each doctor, airfare to Canada for them and their immediate family, first month's lodging in Manitoba and rental car expenses.

Doctors of Manitoba president Dr. Michael Borodicki said the organization was pleased with Thursday's announcement.

“For recent Manitoba graduates or physicians new to Manitoba, our New to Practice program helps build and maintain a strong foundation of practice and support to reduce burnout and isolation while improving physician recruitment and retention,” said Boroditsky. .

“We are very happy about it. We think this will help doctors stay and thrive in this province.”

Boroditskyi said the program helps doctors in fields not taught in medical school.

“You're taught to be a doctor, but you're not told about everything else,” he said. “The first few years are the hardest part of your career.”

Desilets said the program will be noticed by doctors looking for a province to practice.

“There is a huge challenge in getting doctors across the country and all the provinces are competing with each other,” he said.

“It gives Manitoba a leg up.”

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Kevin Rollason
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Kevin Rollason is one of the most versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it covers city hall, the courts, or general reporting, you can count on Rollason to not only answer the 5 Ws—who, what, when, where, and why—but to do so in an engaging and accessible way for readers. .

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