As many as 54 new doctors have signed contracts with BC to provide full-service primary care in communities throughout the province.
The province has yet to announce the communities where the new doctors will be working.
In June, Ministry of Health offered new incentives to recent family medicine graduates through a family physician contract program.
The incentives include $295,457 for the first year for new doctors and a $25,000 signing bonus, medical training debt forgiveness of up to $50,000 for the first year and up to $20,000 for years two to five. In addition, the doctors will also receive a $75,000 payment for overhead costs for their host clinic.
Along with the 54 new contracts, more than 60 family physicians are discussing suitable clinic placements and the terms of the contract with the province. Since June, as many as 140 new family physicians have expressed interest in the incentive program.
The incentives are part of B.C.’s Health Human Resources Strategy to improve and increase access to health care for people.
