Earlier this week, Doctors Manitoba attended the annual conference for the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. The topic was working together to recruit and retain physicians in rural and northern communities.

WHY IT MATTERS: The physician shortage is a top concern for rural and northern physicians, concerned about the level of medical care for patients in their communities.

• Staff were joined by Dr. Nichelle Desilets, President-Elect of Doctors Manitoba and a physician based in Neepawa, as well as past Board member Dr. Selena Papetti who works in the Lac du Bonnet area.

• Dr. Desilets explained that ​“according to the AMM, 90% of municipalities report a physician shortage, and 95% are allocating funding to help with recruitment and retention. So, it’s no surprise the room was packed with mayors, reeves, councillors and municipal administrators. It was encouraging to see such a genuine interest from municipal leaders on working together to make rural communities more inviting and supportive for doctors.”

• After hearing about the extent of the shortage and research about how communities can support recruitment and retention, municipal leaders shared their concerns and ideas about how they can help.

➡️ Take our 2 minute survey to share a status update on health services in your community. This will help us with our continued advocacy for rural care. 

WHAT’S NEXT: The feedback will be used by Doctors Manitoba to create a guide for rural and northern municipalities about how they can support recruitment and retention efforts. This was a key recommendation from the Rural Health Summit two years ago.

• Dr. Papetti stressed the difference local communities can make for new doctors. ​“I grew up in Winnipeg, but I was attracted to rural practice because of my exposure during medical school. When it came time to choose where to practice, there is no question that the municipality’s support is a big part of why I live and work where I do.”

• Both doctors spoke about the welcoming role municipalities can play, as well as the importance of supporting the physician and their families by connecting them with child care, education, extracurriculars and other supports.

• The best practice guide will be developed by Doctors Manitoba and shared with municipalities in partnership with AMM in the next few months.