The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association says over one-third of available family medicine residency positions are vacant in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Canadian Resident Matching Services “matches” medical students to training positions across the country.
Of the 35 family medicine residency positions in this province, 13 – all outside the Eastern region – went unmatched according to the Medical Association.
NLMA President Dr. Charlene Fitzgerald calls that disappointing and signals “worsening problems for the province.”
Dr. Fitzgerald is a family physician based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and says Memorial University has enjoyed a very high first round match rate, however the NLMA is concerned the sharp decline may be the start of a trend unless steps are taken to make family medicine more attractive to students.