GOVERNMENT INVESTS $2 MILLION TO EXPAND HEALTH EDUCATION ACROSS SASKATCHEWAN

Two million dollars has been provided to the Saskatchewan Academic Health Sciences Network (SAHSN) to enhance training for health sciences students and assist in meeting our province's need for physicians and nurses. The announcement was made at the Regina General Hospital today.

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour and the Ministry of Health have together provided $2 million in funding for SAHSN to develop a plan for distributive medical and nursing education.

The distributed medical education model will enable medical students to complete some of their years of study and some residencies in Regina, providing an opportunity to train and establish relationships outside the usual practice environment. Expansion to other communities and other health professions is also being planned.

"Our government is committed to maintaining Saskatchewan's strong and steady economy and in order to do this, our province is in need of more doctors," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "It is our objective that this new training model, which extends medical education beyond Saskatoon, will help the College of Medicine meet our province's ever-growing demand for trained physicians."

"This plan is pivotal in the effort to address the province's physician shortage," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Studies have shown that physicians who experience practice in a variety of settings, including rural areas, during their training are more likely to work outside the larger centres once they graduate."

"Saskatchewan is unique in having a network that brings together such a diverse group of individuals and agencies committed to a collaborative, provincial approach to health sciences education," SAHSN Chair and Saskatoon Health Region President and CEO Maura Davies said. "Enhancement of the medical education program in Regina is the first step in providing more diverse learning experiences for many health professionals, which ultimately will help all parts of the province recruit and retain physicians and other highly skilled health professionals."

"Our partnership with the College of Medicine provides our experienced physicians with the opportunity to share their wealth of knowledge with a new generation," Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) President and CEO Dwight Nelson said. "And with the College's stronger presence in RQHR, we have seen a growing number of local graduates choose to make our region their home and place of practice."

Enhancing training to prepare medical graduates to practice in rural Saskatchewan is an important part of the government's physician recruitment strategy. The $3.5 million strategy, announced in May, also includes a marketing campaign aimed at expatriate physicians and University of Saskatchewan medical students. This strategy will see the establishment of a provincial physician recruitment agency and the development of lifestyle and professional support programs designed to assist physicians, particularly those practicing in rural areas.

The strategy will also support an enhancement of the physician application and licensure process and the development of a Saskatchewan-based program to assess foreign-trained physicians.

"Developing a distributed learning model for the health sciences will improve recruitment and retention of health professionals to Saskatchewan, and enhance opportunities to train in community and inter-professional environments," College of Medicine Dean Dr. Bill Albritton said. "The resources committed today signal the province's recognition of the value of distributed medical and nursing education, and we are grateful for this continued commitment."

"The College of Nursing has been engaged in distributed education in Regina and Prince Albert for a number of years, and looks forward to partnering and sharing resources with Medicine as it moves forward in this direction," College of Nursing Dean Dr. Lorna Butler said. "Nursing and medicine are committed to health science interprofessional education and practice ensuring that our students are prepared to work in the collaborative, client-centered teams that Saskatchewan citizens expect."

SAHSN is a partnership that brings Saskatchewan's health regions, post-secondary partners and government together to enhance patient care, improve health sciences education and focus on research priorities. Network members include: representatives of the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region; the Saskatoon Health Region; rural health regions; the University of Regina; the University of Saskatchewan; SIAST; the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour and the Ministry of Health.

To learn more about the Saskatchewan Academic Health Sciences Network visit www.saskhealthsciencesnetwork.usask.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170
Email: marieka.barrie@gov.sk.ca

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Mark Torjusen
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332

Laura Herman
College of Medicine, U of S
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-6059

Lyle Hewitt
College of Nursing
Phone: 306-584-1000