Medical Benevolent Society

The SMA aims to help recruit physicians to Saskatchewan and retain those already working in the province. Two SMA committees manage funds which have been negotiated through the Ministry of Health to provide programming in support of these recruitment and retention efforts, the Committee on Rural and Regional Practice and the Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee.

The Committee on Rural and Regional Practice (CORRP) provides the following bursaries, grants and programs to support physicians practising medicine in rural and regional Saskatchewan.

Rural Relief Program – The Rural Relief Program provides relief from practice for physicians in rural communities in which there are four or fewer physicians. Relief may be requested for periods of four to 14 days. Learn more on page 16.

Rural and Regional Extended Leave Program – The Rural and Regional Extended Leave Program provides funds to physicians in rural or regional practice for reimbursement of costs and forgone practice income in order to participate in an educational activity. The program supports physicians who are upgrading their skills and knowledge in areas of their choice, within the parameters of the program. The duration of training may range from one to six weeks.

Rural Travel Fund – This program facilitates cooperation and support between physicians practising in rural Saskatchewan. It is intended to encourage improved communication between rural physicians and to help maintain the quality of care being provided to rural residents. Physicians may claim reimbursement when travelling to provide the following services in neighbouring communities: anaesthesia, surgical assistance, consultations, practice coverage and satellite clinics.

Rural and Regional Emergency Care CME Program – This program reimburses physicians in rural and regional practice for the cost of registration and a portion of the travel and accommodation expenses associated with certifying and re-certifying their skills in emergency care and risk management, within the parameters of the program. CORRP family medicine resident bursary recipients are eligible for PALS, ATLS and ALARM during residency.

Rural and Regional Clinical Skills Program – The Rural and Regional Clinical Skills Program is intended to provide the opportunity for medical students and family medicine residents to work alongside a rural or regional family physician who provides both in-patient and emergency coverage for a weekend on call period. In this way the student will enhance their clinical skills and be introduced to rural medicine in a positive way.

Rural and Regional Physician Enhancement Training Program – This program provides funding for two practising rural or regional physicians and for two second-year family medicine residents to complete a third year of training to enhance their skills in areas such as obstetrics, anaesthesia, general surgery, internal medicine, geriatrics or psychiatry. Practising rural or regional physicians receive income replacement funding. Third-year family medicine residents may receive a stipend equal to that of a resident at pay level PGY3 on the College of Medicine grid. Recipients must provide a returnof-service in a rural or regional community.

Family Medicine Resident Bursary Program – Successful medical resident candidates can receive bursary support to a maximum of two years of funding. Upon obtaining licensure, bursary recipients are required to provide a return-of-service commitment in rural, northern or regional Saskatchewan.

Special Needs Loan Program – This program provides assistance to students and residents training to practise medicine in rural, northern or regional Saskatchewan and is intended to be a last resort financial option, having exhausted other funding options.

Roadmap Program for Students and Residents – The Roadmap Program for Students and Residents acts as a guide to medical learners throughout their medical training journeys. It offers opportunities for learners to have positive experiences in rural and regional Saskatchewan through rewarding contests and events. It also provides resources and information to help learners through the challenges of medical school while giving them an opportunity to influence how health care is delivered in the province. Learn more on page 21.

Find out more at www.sma.sk.ca • Roadmap Program events and contests Specialist support • Program application forms • Bursary and grant eligibility requirements

The Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee was established in 2000 to design programs that facilitate the recruitment and retention of specialists to the province. The committee offers the following programs, although several of the programs are being reviewed.

Specialist Recruitment Incentive – A grant is available to eligible specialists who establish a practice for a minimum of 36 months in a Saskatchewan community. A limited number of grants will be available per annum. Preference will be given to applicants who are Saskatchewan-trained, Canadiantrained or are a landed immigrant holding full licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan. All applications are subject to approval by the Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee.

Specialist Extended Leave Program – The Specialist Extended Leave Program is provided through an agreement between the Saskatchewan Medical Association and the government of Saskatchewan. The program’s purpose is to provide

Dr. Joanne Sivertson, obstetrician/gynaecologist, Prince Albert

funds to specialist physicians for reimbursement of costs and foregone practice income in order to participate in personalized educational instruction. The program also supports physicians to upgrade skills and knowledge in areas of their choice for periods of one to six weeks.

Specialist Enhancement Training Program - The Specialist Enhancement Training Program provides funding to allow specialists practising in Saskatchewan, either Canadian certified or foreign-certified, the opportunity to obtain additional training. Training may be sought as a professional sabbatical to obtain post sub-specialty training or to meet the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons to sit the Canadian certification exam.

Six annual grants are available for a maximum of two years and are provided according to the length of training. Candidates are encouraged to pursue studies at the University of Saskatchewan or another accredited North American teaching program.

For more information about rural, regional and specialist recruitment and retention programs, contact sma@sma.sk.ca.

Find out more at www.sma.sk.ca • Specialist program application forms • Program guidelines