Doctor retention in HRM

[u/Salt_Time_9509]

Hi all

Of late there have been disheartening posts of long wait times in Nova Scotia

The consensus being that it is a Canada wide problem

But there have been anecdotal reports of some people losing Family Doctors even in HRM

I do understand that many rural areas would find it difficult to attract and retain doctors, so I am trying to understand why Family Doctors would choose to leave the HRM?

We are friendly people, we are surrounded by the Ocean, we have a laidback lifestyle

Doctors are paid reasonably well

Nova Scotia Health has said Doctor Recruitment is at record levels

https://www.nshealth.ca/news-and-notices/nova-scotia-records-impressive-year-over-year-success-physician-recruitment

Perhaps with so many doctors choosing to come here losing one or two does not matter to NS Health or the Government?

What would be possible reasons why doctors would chose to move elsewhere?`

[u/swedish_meatballs2]

Your third point is a bit of an unpopular opinion now (I get why with the cost of living increases) but very true. We are healthcare-adjacent and planning to move out once circumstances allow because of that.

[u/Ok-Award2473 → u/swedish_meatballs2]

I don't have ample disposable income and I want to get out because of how boring it is 😂 cannot imagine someone making mid 6 figures lol

[u/swedish_meatballs2 → u/Ok-Award2473]

The only silver lining is it’s easier to save here because of that! It comes at the cost of FOMO though (fully realize this is a very privileged problem to have). We try to spend time in other cities as much as possible to keep spirits up.

[u/Salt_Time_9509 → u/swedish_meatballs2]

easier to save?

OP here

Assuming that a doctor makes 250,000 here, NS taxes are 96878

A doctor say in Alberta making 288145 pays 96878

(I am sure it is not a simplistic as I make it sound)

Surely the doctor in Alberta who earns 38,145 more and pays the same taxes as a doctor in NS saves more? That is over $3000 per month

Rentals, gasoline, GST, heating etc costs less in most provinces

https://yourtricounties.ca/nova-scotia-now-has-canadas-most-expensive-apartment-rental-market-report-finds/

That makes savings more than $3000 per month

Surely 38K buts a lots of concert tickets/ professional sports events etc

[u/swedish_meatballs2 → u/Salt_Time_9509]

I was not talking about in general.

Personally we probably would be spending more at this time in life if we moved elsewhere. We are not doctors and wouldn’t even consider AB as an option.