N.L. doctor's dispute puts spotlight on specialists

Some doctors working in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are concerned about patient safety.

A panel of specialists in general internal medicine met with reporters Wednesday to talk about their ongoing contract dispute with the provincial government.

The doctors say there is a severe shortage of internists in the province. They said the wait time to see one of the 27 internists in Newfoundland and Labrador is often as long as a year, more than twice the national average.

Internists diagnose and treat people who have numerous medical problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or respiratory diseases.

They told reporters they are working longer hours than ever, but their workload is too heavy, which will affect patient care.

The internists said that the province has not had a lot of success recruiting doctors.

In the past, only one internist who graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s medical school has chosen to practise in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association represents the more than 1,000 physicians. Their four-year contract with the province expired last fall.

The two sides have been in talks for more than a year.

Earlier this month, the doctors' request to go to binding arbitration to create a new agreement was turned down by the province.

The medical association said Wednesday’s information session is the first in a series of sessions to tell the general public about physicians’ concerns.