Is there a doctor in the house?
- September 2001
It is no secret that over the last several years, the number of physicians in Niagara has declined. Our region needs family physicians, and has been declared an under-serviced area by the province.
Not only are we in need of family physicians, but specialists in a variety of disciplines are also in demand, in Niagara and across the province. The Niagara Health System (NHS) recently hired a physician recruitment officer to boost our efforts at recruiting specialists to Niagara.
"The communities and the new regional recruitment officer are focusing their efforts on family physicians, while the NHS focuses on specialists," explained Joan Hatcher. Joan has been contacting specialists at all eight NHS hospital sites to introduce herself and enlist their help. "I am very pleased with the response I have received so far from our specialists. Almost without exception, they are very positive about the future of our hospital system and our ability to attract top specialists to Niagara."
Competing for Specialists
What makes Joan’s job tough is the challenge out there to compete with other communities across the country. Quite simply put, there are more openings than there are specialists available. "The specialists we recruit are looking for opportunities to offer top quality health care, and we can give them that," Joan said. "They are also looking for lifestyle and opportunities to suit their spouses and children, and I will be working hard with our Niagara community recruitment teams to make sure we put our best face forward collaboratively."
At this time, the NHS is recruiting for specialists in the following areas; two Ophthalmologists (Eye), one Plastic Surgeon, one Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, Throat), three Anaesthestists, two Paediatricians, three Psychiatrists, one Internist (Internal Medicine), five Emergency Physicians and three Radiologists (Diagnostic Imaging). These specialists are mainly needed in our three largest hospitals in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland, although Emergency physicians are also needed at the smaller sites.
Attracting Physicians to Niagara
"Key to attracting specialists is building and maintaining relationships with the medical teaching facilities," Joan said. "As the representative for the NHS, I am going to be developing linkages and ties with Ontario’s five medical schools that will grow over time. However, it is important to remember we don’t always want a newly graduated physician. Sometimes the job requires someone with administrative experience or extensive clinical experience."
An annual five-day recruitment tour in late September takes in all five medical schools at Kingston, Ottawa, Toronto, London and Hamilton, and Joan will be on hand with an NHS display and handouts for prospective candidates. "We are preparing to speak to about 500 near-graduates and then do a lot of follow-up with them to entice them to take a closer look at what Niagara has to offer."
Methods such as recruitment tours and advertising in specialty journals don’t always do the trick. "There may be times when we will still use a professional recruitment firm, depending on our need, however, that is expensive, and as everyone knows, we have to control our spending in health care very tightly these days."
Joan will be working on a five to 10-year plan to meet the community’s needs. As the current complement of 480 NHS physicians ages, we will have a plan in place to anticipate retirements, and cover specialty areas to serve Niagara’s 420,000 people.
"We have a great medical staff working with our health care professionals to provide a high standard of care," Joan enthused. "I see great opportunities for the NHS over the next few years, and recruiting specialists who share that vision is exactly why I am here."