Manitoba has surpassed 3,700 physicians in practice, marking a major milestone in doctor recruitment! 

Why it matters: The doctor shortage is a top concern for physicians, and we’re finally seeing strong recruitment to help close the doctor shortage. 

• “We have more doctors than ever before,” explained Dr Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba. ​“We’re recruiting doctors at a record number, and now we have to step up our game and keep them for the longer term.” 

Yes, but: While recruitment is up, Manitoba still struggles with physician retention: 

• Net loss: Manitoba had a net loss of 8.3 physicians per 1,000 to other provinces last year — the second worst rate in Canada (CIHI).
• Low graduate retention: Only 66% of Manitoba medical graduates stay, also among the lowest in Canada (CIHI), though there are early signs this is improving. 
• Future risk: 43% of physicians are considering reducing hours, retiring, or leaving the province within the next three years (2025 Annual Physician Survey). 

What we’re doing: We have been at work on improving both recruitment and retention, taking your feedback to health system and government leaders. We are: 

• Reducing administrative burden by tackling referral and consultation bottlenecks, pushing for interoperable digital tools, and expanding adoption of AI scribes in all settings. 
• Pressing for investments in team-based care in a variety of physician practices. 
• Strengthening physician consultation by rolling out physician engagement guidelines to improve consultation and decision-making within the system. 
• Supporting the business of medicine with new tools and resources to help physicians manage professional and operational demands. 
• Investing is physician leadership development and education to strengthen work environments and reduce burnout 

How you can help: Retention is a team effort at every career stage, and physicians can play a role too: 

• Refer early career physicians, or residents in their final year, to our New to Practice program for individualized support. 
• Learn more about peer support, and how it can help physicians experiencing burnout and distress in the workplace. 
• Develop skills to build healthy workplace culture, by signing up for our leadership development sessions.