Recruitment goal missed; population jumps

Nine new doctors in 2015 for all Outaouais

 

After a fruitful year in 2014, recruiting 33 doctors, Outaouais saw a net gain of only nine new doctors in 2015. This is far from Outaouais’ Health Agency’s (CISSSO) goal of 33 doctors for 2015.

 

“Yes, those are the numbers (9) from the College des Médecins du Québec, but in 2015 we recruited 27 new doctors. This is the first year we did not reach our target, in the past three years,” said Geneviève Côté, of the CISSSO.

“We have a net gain of only nine because many doctors either retired or left the area. We put in the same (recruitment) effort as in 2014.”

According to the College des Médecins’ annual report, published in mid-January, Outaouais is home to 384 family physicians, 10 more than in December 31, 2014, and 254 medical specialists, the same as last year. There are 658 doctors registered with the college.

Doctors are leaving

Ms Côté said it is difficult to say why more than a dozen doctors left the region in 2015. “There were fewer positions available in hospitals, which  could have played a difference,” she speculated.

Jean-Charles Pichereau, coordinator with Action Santé Outaouais, told the Bulletin that while recruiting doctors is one struggle, keeping them is another.

“Before looking at recruiting, we should look at how we can keep doctors here. We need to solve our chronic underfunding. We have aging health infrastructure, and doctors want infrastructure that breathes hi-tech,” said Pichereau.