‘We have a lot to offer’: Why Canada may appeal to American physicians

An electrophysiologist performs a ventricular tachycardia ablation at Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press)

With an estimated 6.5 million Canadians lacking a family physician, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) says it’s time to seize a rare opportunity: attracting American-trained doctors to Canada.

Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the CMA, says a sharp spike in interest from U.S.-based doctors shows now is the moment to act.

“We know the Medical Council of Canada has seen about a 600 per cent increase in physicians in the U.S. signing up for their portal,” Reimer said in an interview with CTV’s Your Morning. “We really want to take advantage of that moment.”

Reimer said she was “surprised and disappointed” to see that health care was not included on the agenda for this week’s federal leaders’ debates, despite polling that suggests it is a top concern for voters.

“When there’s 6.5 million Canadians who don’t have a family doctor, this is affecting all of us or people we love,” she said. “We’re calling on all the leaders to bring health care into their discussions.”

Why American doctors are looking north

Reimer said that although some U.S. physicians may earn higher salaries—particularly in certain specialties—Canada offers professional and lifestyle advantages that appear to be drawing interest.

She said that in Canada, doctors typically face less political interference, fewer insurance company disputes and lower rates of malpractice litigation.

“You really get to make medical decisions on the basis of your patient’s best interest,” Reimer said. “That is huge.”

She added that while Canadian doctors deal with a burdensome amount of paperwork, the situation may be even more challenging in the U.S., where doctors must navigate multiple private insurers and complex approval processes.

Rural areas stand to benefit most

Reimer said Canada’s most pressing shortages remain in rural and remote communities, and that’s where incoming doctors could make the greatest impact.

“I’ve heard stories of doctors in rural settings in the U.S. who are interested in still practising rural medicine,” she said. “That’s exactly who we’d like to attract.”

While acknowledging that Canada’s health system needs significant reform, Reimer said it still offers meaningful benefits to physicians who want to focus on patient care.

“We have a lot to work on,” she said. “But we also have a lot to offer.”