About Us

The physician recruitment shortage has reached a significant high across the province of Ontario. Healthcare recruiters in Ontario are poised to enhance the way we recruit, retain, and engage our primary care physicians. Addressing this issue impacts costly ED visits, and band aid programs that were created because of lack of access to primary care across Ontario. This streamlining of services will improve the overall health outcomes of our residents.

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The INSPIRE PHC data report for March 2023 https://inspire-phc.org/ indicates that 1.6 million residents in Ontario do not have access to primary care and this number is projected to rise factoring in retirements of current physicians (6-7% per year) and the projected residential growth in this province. With an average practice size of 1380, it would take approximately 1160 primary care physicians to just address our current shortage. While Ontario has created new family medicine spots, the fact remains that there are only 546 incoming Family Medicine Residents in Ontario and 1702 Family Medicine Residency spots in Canada in 2024, which does not even come close to meeting the needs of our province.

the fact remains that there are only 546 incoming Family Medicine Residents in Ontario and 1702 Family Medicine Residency spots in Canada in 2024

There are many reasons Ontario graduates are not choosing traditional family practice, however, the main reasons are increased administration and lack of team-based supports.

The focus for new graduates to start or take on a traditional style of family practice has shifted in Ontario. New graduates are moving towards hospital work, locums, focused practice designations which fills a need in the health care system but does not solve the issue of the shortage of family physicians who are willing to take on a roster of patients in our communities. There are many reasons Ontario graduates are not choosing traditional family practice, however, the main reasons are increased administration and lack of team-based supports. Although changes are on the horizon, we will continue to struggle to attract physicians to address the crisis faced by Ontarians until system level changes are made.

There is a significant need in Ontario to enhance our recruitment efforts from a regional and provincial level and to support our community physician recruiters to repatriate Canadians studying and training abroad, along with attracting practicing foreign trained doctors from the UK, US, Ireland, and Australia. The Medical Council of Canada and the College of Physicians and surgeons have streamlined their process to make it easier for licensing, we now need to focus on sourcing these physicians and supporting them to practice in Ontario. As other jurisdictions are added to the reciprocity agreement for primary care providers our reach would expand accordingly.

Physician Recruiters in Ontario have a very diverse role and skillset and are funded by different organizations throughout Ontario. These organizations can be funded by Municipal Government, Chamber of Commerce, Family Health Team, or Hospital. Recruiters can range from full time to part time staff, depending on their organization and demographic. Those who are working in a physician recruitment role usually work on this portfolio as an independent 1-person team. Although we have differences, the common thread that binds us is the fact that we have a fundamental role in health human resource planning, Recruitment and retention of primary care physicians in Ontario. Some communities also offer financial incentives to their physicians for relocation or to offset start up costs. Physician recruiters have a mandate to:

• Track physicians who are moving in and moving out of our communities.
• Promote their practice opportunities at career fairs and events or through marketing efforts.
• Act as an ambassador for their community conducting clinic site tours and community tours.
• Outline the differences in practice models and support physicians in their career goals.
• Physician recruitment has become a global market. Recruiters now complete immigration documents and navigate work permits and permanent residency.
• Engaging regularly with primary care to become a valuable resource to onboard and doctors and help them to build a roster of patients.

The role has become globally competitive and complex.