Access to Physicians and Licensed Health Care Professionals Supports Rural Economic Development

Issue

Business growth in rural communities is directly impacted by access to physicians and licensed health care professionals. 

Background

The ability of rural residents to access health care provided by rural physicians and licensed health care professionals (HCP) is of great importance to Alberta’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity in the province. With the growing concern of physicians leaving rural communities, residents of rural communities are at risk of losing much more than local medical care; reduced access to physician and HCP care also impacts businesses’ ability to attract skilled workers and grow which, in turn, impacts the vitality and sustainability of rural communities.

Our Recommendations

1. Recognize the economic and social impact physicians and other licensed health care professionals have on SMEs and communities when negotiating with physicians and other licensed health care professionals; and 
2. Create healthcare infrastructure that adequately supports the attraction and retention of physicians and other licensed health care professionals in rural Alberta communities to ensure an adequate level in rural communities. 
3.  Work with the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) to: 
   1. Prioritize admissions of Albertans into medical programs; and, 
   2. Restructure the residency placement process to allocate graduates of Alberta universities into Alberta’s residency positions.