Crisis in Rural Medicine
Rural practices are facing growing financial stability challenges that are making it increasingly difficult to keep the lights on and the doors open. Recently, the AMA conducted a survey of family physicians and rural generalists that showed:
- 20% say their practices are unlikely to be financially viable beyond six months (8% say three months).
- Only 21% feel their finances could sustain up to one year.
- 61% of family physicians are considering leaving Alberta’s health care system, either through early retirement (38%) or by looking for work in another province or country (39%).
Many colleagues have already been forced to make the decision to leave their practices and their communities. We have also seen temporary closures of acute care beds and emergency rooms, and reductions in services in rural communities. These are reported on the AHS Facilities: Temporary Service Disruptions web page.
What are we doing about it?
The Section of Rural Medicine has been relentless in advocating for the financial respect rural generalists need and deserve. Over the past few months, the SRM President has met with elected officials, including the Minister of Health, to explain the importance of the work we do.
We currently sit on the AMA Strike Team, established to action the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the AMA and the Minister of Health late last year. The Strike Team is working to ensure family physician and rural generalist practices are a priority for the government. The focus is on three streams:
- A new payment model (Physician Comprehensive Care Model).
- Stabilization in primary care.
- Administrative burden.
The Strike Team web page (member login required) includes information and updates.
We need your stories
As part of the AMA’s efforts to raise awareness about the crisis in family and rural generalist medicine, they have been asking physicians to share their stories in their own voices. It takes about two minutes to record a video with our super easy tool, which can be used on a phone, iPad or laptop. All you need to do is record your name, where you practice and a few comments about what you want the public to know about the realities facing you and your patients.
Understanding rural generalists
Rural generalists are specialists who have been trained to meet the unique health care needs of rural and remote communities. We bring a breadth and depth of knowledge to our work that allows us to provide both comprehensive care in the community and specialized care in hospital settings, including emergency departments.
How we practice
Rural generalists are specialists in our field as well as unrecognized specialists in emergency medicine, internal medicine, palliative care, mental health, women’s health, geriatrics, addictions and much more.
We provide true full-scope patient care in our emergency departments, in our hospitals, in our community cancer centres, in our operating rooms, and delivering babies as well as in our community clinics. We ensure continuity of care, from birth to death, from home to the patient’s medical home, to hospital and back.
We have been working and leading teams in rural and remote communities for decades. We help ensure allied health professionals deliver safe, effective, efficient care.
Integral to the community
Rural medicine makes it possible for women to labour and deliver in their own communities, close to their families and support systems. It allows people in rural and remote areas to receive critical emergency care in local AHS facilities.
It ensures new or emerging health issues are diagnosed and treated and allows patients with chronic illnesses to be managed close to home.
It makes it possible for people battling cancer to receive treatment without having to travel to larger centres and allows seniors to stay in their own homes longer. And, when the time comes, rural medicine allows patients to receive compassionate, palliative care in the communities they call home.
Our communities
Rural generalists live where we work and our patients are often our friends and neighbours. We are invested in the health and well being of the community because they are our communities too. Being part of the community creates a connection with our patients that helps us better understand and manage their care.
To learn more or get involved, email us at [email protected].
