REGINA — Sixteen new physicians began practising in rural Saskatchewan this summer after completing the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA) program in June.
There are currently 283 internationally-trained family physicians who were assessed through SIPPA working in the province, 77 per cent of whom have established practice in rural communities.
Launched in 2011, SIPPA is a Saskatchewan initiative that offers new opportunities for doctors trained in countries around the world. The program assesses internationally-educated physicians on their medical training and clinical ability as part of the licensing process to practise medicine in Saskatchewan. Through a return-of-service contract, they agree to work in the province for a minimum of three years upon completion of the SIPPA assessment.
Dr. Jon Witt, SIPPA's program director at the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine, congratulates the SIPPA program graduates as they enter this next phase which will include supervision by local physicians.
"The Government of Saskatchewan's increased funding for the SIPPA program is supporting more internationally-trained physicians in completing SIPPA and is providing increased resources and mentorship to these physicians as they begin their practices in Saskatchewan communities," Witt said.
The program assesses physicians three times a year, with an annual capacity of approximately 45 physicians.
The SIPPA program is initiatives designed to increase the number of physicians working in Saskatchewan. Other initiatives include:
- quadrupling the Rural Physician Incentive Program up to $200,000 and expanding eligibility to include physicians practicing through the SIPPA program;
- training more doctors in Saskatchewan by expanding medical residency seats from 120 to 128 at the University of Saskatchewan; and
- expanding post-graduate medical residency training sites outside Regina and Saskatoon to Prince Albert, Swift Current, La Ronge, North Battleford, Moose Jaw and southeast areas of the province.
Physicians interested in working in Saskatchewan are encouraged to contact Saskdocs directly at info@saskdocs.ca, toll-free 1-888-415-3627 or 306-933-5000.
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