Attracting and keeping doctors continues to be a major challenge for small communities.
Jackie Pearase, rural Enderby director, was among the officials who attended a session on physician recruitment at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver this week.
“It comes down to highlighting amenities,” she said.
However, Pearase believes communities have to do more than promote recreational activities and lifestyle if they want to draw doctors.
“I want to make sure doctors have realistic expectations of what we have to offer,” she said.
“They may not have surgical access opportunities. They want jobs for their spouse and a good education for their kids. With trades programs, they have to go elsewhere beyond Enderby.”
Provincial officials leading the workshop indicated they are doing their best to bring doctors to rural B.C.
Pearase wasn’t impressed with that response.
“It seems like a lot of it is back on the community to do the work,” she said of community promotions and advertising.
“I got some good ideas about retaining doctors.”
Pearase’s next step is to meet with the City of Enderby and discuss strategies to not only bring new physicians to the area, but also keep them here.
“There are 10 doorways and you have to keep opening up each one to see what’s behind them,” she said.
“Enderby has things to offer and we just have to find the right match.”
