In recent posts, we’ve covered some of the reasons why there are widespread doctor shortages in the United States and Canada. We also looked at the specific case of one Canadian province, Nova Scotia, which plans to use foreign-trained doctors to help fill the void.

To highlight the seriousness and extent of the shortage on both sides of the Canada/US border, we’ve done a roundup of recent new stories. They do not cover every area, city, state or province that is suffering through a shortage of doctors. But for any Canadian or American who studied abroad to get their medical degree, or who has been thinking of doing so, these stories show that opportunities to practice at home are increasing dramatically.

It’s also important to note that all of the stories below are relatively recent. In other words, many jurisdictions are coming to the realization that they have a doctor shortage at around the same time. That means demand for doctors, including those who are foreign-trained, might spike rapidly.

Texas

The fix to Texas’s doctor shortage lies abroad – My Statesman, Aug. 19, 2018 – Texas has the fourth fewest primary-care physicians in the U.S. on a per capita basis.

From the article: “The only way to solve Texas’s doctor shortage is to look abroad — to graduates of international medical schools.”

New Jersey

Why is there a doctor shortage in New Jersey?, NJTV ONline, August 21, 2018 – The problem isn’t limited to needing doctors in traditionally underserved areas. New Jersey just needs doctors.

From the article: “Some estimates state that we need perhaps 2,500 new doctors by 2020 moving forward,” said Rep. Leonard Lance.

Quebec

Slashing Med School Admissions Isn’t How You Deal With a Doctor Shortage – Huffington Post – Mar. 19, 2018 – Even French-speaking medical school graduates who studied abroad are seeing an increase in options.
From the article: Quebec has fewer doctors than most industrialized countries.

British Columbia

No end in sight to B.C.’s doctor shortage, Mar. 6, 2018 – Nova Scotia, Quebec, a traditional shortage in Saskatchewan, and BC, the doctor shortage is a coast-to-coast problem in Canada.
From the article: “There aren’t enough doctors graduating to replace the ones that are retiring as the population grows older and sicker, said Doctors of BC president Dr. Trina Larsen Soles.”

Caribbean medical schools are an attractive option for those who want to study abroad, but want to remain relatively close to home and study at medical schools based on the U.S. and Canadian curriculum. At UMCAS, we’re working to make it easier for you.