REGINA — Fourteen new physicians are now practicing in rural communities across Saskatchewan after completing the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program in December.
Planning is underway to further increase the number of training seats that SIPPA offers. The number of training seats was previously expanded from 36 to 45 each year under Saskatchewan's Health Human Resources Action Plan.
Over the past 12 years, 539 physicians from around the world have successfully completed the SIPPA program. Currently, 304 are practising in the province, 77 per cent of whom have established practice in rural or regional communities.
The SIPPA program assesses internationally educated physicians on their medical training and clinical ability as part of the licensure process to practice medicine in Saskatchewan. Through a return-of-service contract, they agree to work in the province for a minimum of three years upon completion of the SIPPA assessment.
The Rural Physician Incentive Program also offers up to $200,000 over five years to help recruit physicians to rural and regional communities.
The latest additions to rural health care are working in Kindersley, Canora, Rosthern, Radville, Wynyard, Kelvington, Carlyle, Melville, Wadena, Broadview, Davidson, Meadow Lake and Rosthern.
Physicians interested in working in Saskatchewan are encouraged to contact the Saskatchewan Health Care Recruitment Agency directly at [email protected], toll-free 1-888-415-3627 or 306-933-5000.
