The study aimed to determine if there was an association between northern training and practice location for physicians enrolled in the Northeastern Ontario Postgraduate Specialty (NOPS) program. It compared NOPS participants with non-participants, matched on various demographics and specialties. Results showed that NOPS participants were significantly more likely to practice in northeastern Ontario and in smaller communities compared to non-participants. Longer rotations in northeastern Ontario were associated with a higher likelihood of practicing there, although this was not guaranteed. The study provides the first empirical evidence of a positive association between postgraduate specialty training in northeastern Ontario and eventual practice in these areas, highlighting the importance of such training programs in addressing physician shortages in northern communities.
- March 2, 2011
- JC Hogenbirk, O Mian, RW Pong
- Article