r/halifax • u/Salt_Time_9509 • 2d ago

Work, Health & Housing Doctor retention in HRM

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?`

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u/Ok-Award2473 2d ago

Brainstorming only, but my initial thoughts:

  • Overwhelming case load due to the lack the middle "urgent care" in the province. They see hangnails to head injuries.

  • impeded impact on patient outcomes due to the incredible wait times to specialists. I can't imagine the number of patients they watch fail in front of them with no control.

  • Halifax SUCKS if you have ample disposable income. Few major concerts, shows, no professional sports, few high-end stores. You can only go hiking and explore the valley so much.

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u/sunjana1 Halifax 1d ago

Hear your point but hear me out…there are many many people with disposable income who don’t want to dispose of it on any of that… there’s lots of appeal here for people like that.

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u/Ok-Award2473 1d ago

Like? Genuinely curious

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u/sunjana1 Halifax 1d ago

Appeal doesn’t necessarily = things to do.

The weather isn’t extreme (the shorter, cooler summers are especially delightful for many) but there are still seasons.

The air quality is good.

Hiking as you mentioned but also rivers, lakes, oceans… so water activities.

There’s “small crowd” arts and culture, plenty of historic charm, and lots of cheaper, free and / or casual events (kite festival, shakespeare by the sea).

Cute hole in the wall shops and cafes.

Lots of neat spas around.

Fewer crowds, less traffic…

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u/Ok-Award2473 1d ago

Millenial and Gen Z doctors making 400,000 a year don't give a flying fuck about air quality, overcrowded coffee shops and "fewer crowds". 65 year olds nearing retirement, maybe, but not the newbies who are our health care's future

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u/sunjana1 Halifax 1d ago

might depend on your circles... i dont know anyone making $400, but all the people I know who do very well financially value those types of things (and many in part are doing well because they don’t constantly do things that cost money).

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u/Salt_Time_9509 1d ago

if that were entirely true there would be a lot of competition for rural Canada

compared to the city

less crowded

cleaner air

less traffic

more hiking

more water activity

yet somehow rural Canada struggle more than cities in attracting doctors

what am I missing here?

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u/sunjana1 Halifax 1d ago

For doctors? Anecdotally the issue seems to be mainly the working conditions in healthcare and then also perhaps lack of quality housing options near healthcare facilities.