Province approves regulation changes to lure U.S. docs to Manitoba

More U.S.-trained physicians are expected to join the Manitoba workforce, following provincial efforts to streamline recruitment amid an ongoing doctor shortage.

The Manitoba government approved a change to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba regulations, forging a path for U.S. doctors to apply for full licensure if they meet certain requirements.

“We respect internationally educated doctors, we recognize the value they bring to our health-care system and having expedited pathways where U.S.-trained physicians can join our Manitoba workforce is a necessity,” said Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.

The change means physicians no longer have to apply for provisional registration before they can obtain full licenses — eliminating the need for “supervisors, assessments, and practice location restrictions, which can be costly and time consuming,” the college said, announcing the change in a statement Thursday.

“We looked at our regulations in Manitoba and designed a new path to licensure that would benefit both the province and U.S. physicians looking to relocate,” Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, college registrar and CEO said.

“Our goal is to have the proper requirements in place so that only people who are safe to practise can do so, but we also don’t want requirements that create unnecessary barriers.”

Asagwara couldn’t say how many U.S.-trained doctors have joined the Manitoba workforce since the province began appealing to health-care workers south of the border in a series of advertisements and information sessions.

The minister said “dozens” have expressed interest thus far.

To qualify, the doctors must have completed an accredited residency program, and possess relevant certification and licenses in the U.S.

Medical regulators in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia have similar provisions in place. Manitoba’s amendment took effect on May 30, the college said.

Doctors Manitoba publicly advocated for the change last November, when it launched advertisements in medical magazines and newsletters appealing to U.S. doctors.

The campaign targeted health-care providers in North Dakota, Florida and other states where abortion and gender-affirming care had become politicized issues during Donald Trump’s presidential run.

The materials market Manitoba’s low cost of living, competitive pay, friendly reputation, universal health-care coverage and a culture of putting trust and value in both doctors and medical evidence.

In March, Shared Health launched a similar recruitment campaign aimed at health-care workers in Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“We are excited to see that our work to appeal to U.S. physicians, dismayed with the political and financial uncertainties posed by the current administration, has inspired our partners who are making concrete changes to our health system,” Doctors Manitoba president Dr. Nichelle Desilets said in a news release Thursday.

Doctors Manitoba said the number of physicians in Manitoba has grown, but national reporting shows the province still has the second fewest physicians per capita in Canada.

It will continue to call for more training, recruitment and retention efforts, the news release said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca