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All letters to the editor published by KelownaNow reflect only the opinions of the readers who write them, and not necessarily those of KelowaNow or its staff.
Re: B.C.'s doctor shortage shows no signs of an end
Dear news staff,
A family physician friend forwarded to me your article “B.C.’s doctor shortage shows no signs of an end.” Please accept my compliments and appreciation for your insightful and meaningful report.
I’m a Canadian citizen who graduated from a Canadian medical school some years ago, then moved to the U.S. for family reasons and completed a family medicine residency here. I then moved on to a position at one of the top U.S. medical schools that happens to appear on the list of top 20 medical schools in the world.
After a full career teaching medical students and providing primary care, my wife and I decided to move back to Canada. Our hope was to settle in B.C. and provide primary care in a smaller, underserved area. It occurred to me that with my background in medical education I could also contribute something to the process of medical education for the province as well.
Little did I know. The nightmare I endured during the next year and a half as I tried to have the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. grant me a license was stunning. The bureaucratic barriers and hoops, the inflexibility, arrogance, and mendacity I encountered was beyond disheartening. The closest analogy I could think of was “The Castle,” by Franz Kafka. This should be required reading for bureaucrats who imagine themselves able to design a well-functioning medical licensure system. As a result of this toxic experience with the B.C. College, my wife and I decided to stay in the U.S. where I’m welcomed both by patients and by the licensing and certifying bodies.
This entire experience was a tremendous disappointment to me, and it left me feeling deeply sorry for my country, and angry to see the desperate needs for individual citizens set aside by politicians and administrators who pretend to care. What a shame!
Best regards,
Name withheld for privacy reasons
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