Two Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia and Ontario, have lifted board certification requirements for physicians licensed to practice in the U.S. in anticipation of a 44,000 physician shortage, according to a May 1 report from Medscape.
Physicians licensed in the U.S. will no longer have to start with a limited license or take additional exams to become fully licensed in Nova Scotia and Ontario.
Canada is experiencing a shortfall of physicians, which is expected to reach 44,000 by 2028, with family physicians accounting for 72 percent of the deficit.
About 812 U.S. trained physicians currently practice in Canada, according to 2019 data collected from the Canadian Medical Association.
Other Canadian provinces, including Alberta, are launching pilot programs to waive licensing requirements for physicians from the U.S., Ireland, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Another barrier to migrating U.S. physicians to Canada is the salary. Family medicine physicians earn about $40,000 less per year in Canada, and cardiologists earn over $100,000 less.
"Reducing licensing barriers should make Canada a more attractive option for U.S. doctors who may be considering a move north," Tom Florence, president of AMN Healthcare's Physician Solutions division, told Medscape.
While physicians practicing in Canada might earn a lower salary, they also have to deal with less red tape from insurance companies, according to the report.
"Rather than give up practicing medicine, a move to Canada may be a welcome respite for some U.S. physicians," Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD, an internist and past president of the American Medical Women's Association, told Medscape.