CHAT file photo

By Teagan Rasche

'It’s been a struggle'

Physician shortage making it difficult for Hatters to find family doctors

Jan 11, 2022 | 4:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – When Sienna McKay had her daughter in August of 2020, she was told she had six weeks to find a family doctor.

“Within those six weeks, I called probably every doctor twice and they just kept saying the same thing,” McKay said. “Sorry, we can’t take you. Sorry, we are overbooked. Sorry, we have no spots.”

McKay struggled with postpartum depression and was in need of help. She says walk-in clinics turned her away and pointed her toward the emergency room.

“I don’t think you should rely on the hospital and the emergency room just to talk to somebody,” McKay said.

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She had also just moved back to Medicine Hat from Saskatchewan. After no luck finding a local doctor, she went with one in Gull Lake, Sask.

Another Hatter understands her struggles all too well.

Justin Collins had a foot injury in September, which then got infected and almost cost him his leg. He was also told to find a family doctor.

“I couldn’t find a doctor, I still can’t find a doctor so the last four months, I have just been going in and out of the hospital to see doctors, to get my medication,” Collins said.

Palliser Friends of Medicare says its role is to highlight issues in health in southern Alberta.

Chapter chair Diane MacNaughton acknowledges a doctor shortage is an emerging issue.

“I think it’s all about self-advocacy and getting out and being active,” MacNaughton said. “I think people these days have to be self-advocates about their health.”

She recommends looking for physicians on Alberta’s Primary Care Network website. The website shows five clinics are accepting new patients.

After calling, CHAT News learned at least one is not taking on any more patients and several can’t see new patients until spring.

“It’s been a struggle, I’m still calling around trying to find a doctor and no luck whatsoever,” Collins said.

There’s no easy solution.

In a statement, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta says they are aware of the challenges communities face regarding physician recruitment and retention but they are not involved in recruitment.

“CPSA is certainly aware of the challenges many communities face with regards to physician recruitment and retention, and we understand how important access to safe, high-quality and community-based health care is to Albertans,” reads the statement. “While CPSA is not involved in physician recruitment to any particular geographic area, our role as Alberta’s medical regulator is to register physicians and physician assistants, and provide assessments, such as the practice readiness of physicians coming into Alberta from outside Canada.”

So for many, the search for a family doctor continues

“Everywhere here just says the same thing, they can’t help you,” McKay said.

There are some resources available if you need medical care. Calling Health Link at 811 will connect you to a registered nurse 24/7. Walk-in clinics are also open across Medicine Hat.