The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada says it’s National Advanced Skills and Training Program for Rural Practice aims to support recruitment and retention and reduce physician shortages in underserved communities in the country.

A member of the program’s advisory committee Doctor Gavin Parker explains.......

“It gives an opportunity for rural physicians to self identify training that they require and that their communities require to offer heightened and specialized care in their communities. So what we’re offering to do is pay their time to go and complete this training, we offer to pay their preceptors, we also offer to pay for what we call locum positions or substitute doctors to come in cover that physician’s practice so their community isn’t deprived of a physician while they go away and get valuable training.”

Parker adds physicians practicing medicine in rural, remote, and northern communities often encounter a broader scope in terms of the care they offer patients.