Obstetrics grads leaving Nova Scotia despite recruitment efforts

An exodus of obstetricians and gynecologists in Nova Scotia won't be helped by this year's slate of residents finishing their training at Dalhousie University. 

None of the six residents are staying in Nova Scotia to open a practice, says Dr. Arthur Zilbert, an assistant professor in the department. 

"They've been recruited heavily," he says of the local efforts which have failed. He says the cost of insurance is now a significant deterrent for prospective specialists.

There have been six resignations as a direct result of a dispute over malpractice insurance fees. Early Friday, Kentville specialist Dr. Charles Hamm spoke out about his decision to move to Ontario, saying it was impossible to keep working under the current conditions. 

Fees for the obstetricians jumped to about $51,000 from $21,000 this year.

While the province told physicians in early April that it would not pay for any of the increase, it announced a few weeks later that it would cover 80 per cent of the increase while contract negotiations with the province continue.

Incentive not enough

In January, the province announced a new program that included $120,000 to go towards a physician's student loans if they agreed to work in a rural area for five years.

But Zilbert says that's still not enough.

Obstetricians and gynecologists in Nova Scotia are among the lowest paid in the country, and they are the lowest paid specialists in the province. 

That makes it challenging to find specialists fill in when the physicians want time off. 

Zilbert uses Prince Edward Island as an example. There, obstetricians and gynecologists pay a flat rate of $1,000 for their malpractice insurance. He says they're also paid significantly more. 

"So if you can be paid more going into a neighbouring province, and have to pay out less for your fees to practice, it's just logic. Why would you come to some place that doesn't value you?"

Of the six finishing their training, Zilbert says some aren't going far. One is moving to Moncton, N.B., while two are working in Charlottetown. Another is staying at Dalhousie for a fellowship.