Training physicians to practice in remote canadian communities

Of 31 hospital administrators from small northern Ontario hospitals, 20 indicated in a survey that their areas need more doctors. Of the 183 doctors practicing in these areas, 47% do not have local bacteriology services, 34% do not have blood gas analysis available, and 23% do not have a local physiotherapist. Of the 24 hospitals where surgery is done, only 16 have specialist surgeons on staff. Twenty-nine of the hospitals treat obstetrical cases, but only two have obstetricians; similarly, 29 of the hospitals treat myocardial infarction but only two have internists on staff. More younger general physicians are tending to have extra training in anesthesia. Only one hospital has a pediatrician. If general physicians are to care for patients in the absence of consultant back-up, they will need extra training. The University of Western Ontario is beginning a third year family medicine fellowship in an attempt to meet this need.