Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) says it’s clear their members are feeling underappreciated and underpaid.
The group recently surveyed its members in anticipation of negotiating a new contract with the province.
The survey found compensation, benefits, and work environment were the top issues for doctors, and the ones they believe are having an impact on getting doctors to move and stay here.
President of the association, Dr. Tim Holland, says there has been some progress.
“Most importantly, the 39.6 million dollar investment in primary care last spring, all great first steps, in fact it looks like we might not be in last place anymore, we might be just ahead of Newfoundland,” says Holland, pointing to the compensation physicians compensation packages.
Holland says the province still lags behind the national average when it comes to compensation and Nova Scotia also pays less than its surrounding Maritime provinces.
But it’s not just about pay either.
Holland says doctors have issues with billing codes, often spending just as much time on billing as with a patient.
And if a physician makes a mistake, he says they’re punished rather than educated.
“Nova Scotia over the past five, six years has sort of shifted toward a very punitive measure by if you’ve made an error, you’re treated as if you’re a fraud, your money is sort of clawed back.”
The doctors’ contract expires this March.
A total of 812 physicians, or 34 per cent of practising members, responded to the survey questions about their priorities in the upcoming negotiations, and how they would like DNS to approach contract discussions with the government.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
