British Columbia Attracts U.S.-Trained Healthcare Professionals

News Summary

In response to healthcare staffing shortages, British Columbia has launched a recruitment campaign targeting U.S.-trained healthcare professionals from states like Washington and California. Since the initiative began, 780 applications have been received, including a significant number from doctors and nurses. The licensing process for U.S. physicians has been streamlined to encourage relocation, while challenges such as compensation differences and adaptation to Canadian healthcare models remain. The province aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and improve conditions for patients with these new efforts.

Victoria, British Columbia – In a decisive move to combat healthcare staffing shortages, British Columbia has launched a recruitment campaign aimed at attracting U.S.-trained healthcare professionals. This initiative specifically targets regions such as Washington, Oregon, and California, where many qualified healthcare workers are disillusioned with current U.S. healthcare policies.

Since the campaign commenced in March 2023, British Columbia has received a total of 780 applications from U.S.-trained healthcare professionals. This figure includes 188 doctors and 399 nurses, indicating a robust interest in the opportunities available in the province. In addition, approximately 2,250 Americans have expressed interest in relocating to B.C., with 827 doctors, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners, and 250 allied health professionals attending informational webinars about job opportunities.

To facilitate this influx, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) has amended its bylaws to streamline the licensing process for U.S.-trained doctors. As of July 7, 2025, these physicians will be able to attain full licensure in the province without undergoing additional assessments, exams, or training, making the transition more efficient. In the first week after implementing these new rules, 29 U.S. physicians submitted registration applications, demonstrating an immediate response to the regulatory changes.

The British Columbia government is particularly focused on attracting healthcare professionals who may be frustrated with the healthcare environment under former President Donald Trump. Health Minister Josie Osborne has highlighted that the province boasts a high-quality healthcare system and an appealing lifestyle, making it a desirable location for healthcare workers seeking new opportunities.

This recruitment initiative is part of a larger strategy to address the ongoing staffing shortages within the province’s healthcare system. These shortages have been exacerbated by an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services. Dr. Patrick Rowe, CPSBC registrar and CEO, stated that revisions to bylaw procedures aim to enhance healthcare accessibility and improve conditions for patients.

For nurses, the process has also been expedited. U.S. nurses can apply directly to the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), and thus far, there have been 320 applications from U.S. nurses and 46 from nurse practitioners. The CPSBC also aims to increase the number of available seats in the Practice Ready Assessment program from 32 to 96 by the year 2024 to provide more opportunities for international applicants.

However, challenges remain. There are concerns that U.S. physician specialists who are used to providing primary care may struggle to adjust to the Canadian referral model, which requires patients to be funneled through a general practitioner before seeing a specialist. Additionally, while British Columbia offers an attractive lifestyle for healthcare professionals, the compensation remains lower than in the United States, which could pose a barrier to recruitment, as U.S. doctors typically earn more.

Recent regulatory changes, including a new Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) payment model that began in 2023, aim to improve compensation for primary care physicians in British Columbia. Despite these efforts, the province continues to face issues related to generational shifts in work expectations among new medical graduates, particularly in Northern Health regions.

Moreover, it is important to note that the regulatory changes currently do not apply to South African family doctors, who have faced barriers in practicing in Canada since 2010 due to updated training requirements. The provincial government is dedicated to working collaboratively with healthcare authorities and partners in a “Team B.C.” approach to address these staffing needs and enhance healthcare access for all residents of British Columbia.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Prince George Citizen
• Google Search: American Doctors in BC
• Radio NL
• Google Scholar: BC US Doctor Recruitment
• Victoria Buzz
• Encyclopedia Britannica: healthcare in British Columbia
• My Bulkley Lakes Now
• Google News: BC Healthcare Recruitment
• HCAMag
• Google Search: fast track US doctors nurses BC
• Maple Ridge News
• Wikipedia: Healthcare in Canada