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>We're listening to PHYSICIANS
Guess who knows how to attract and retain doctors? If you guessed 'Doctors,' you're right! And if you guessed it's as simple as paying them more money, you're not listening to them.
We at NOW Lunenburg County have become excellent listeners. When we asked people, "What do you need from your community? and what would it take for you to move to Lunenburg County,?" people told us they need access to a family doctor. We didn't know the first thing about recruiting doctors. But lucky for us, we have some incredible doctors in our community, and no one can recruit a doctor better than a doctor. So, we asked them. We invited doctors to meet with us so that we could learn some of their challenges. We were able to ask them, "What brought you here, what will keep you here and how can we bring more people like you here?"
What we learned answered our question, "What role can our community play in retaining and attracting doctors?."
We learned that we need locums. A locum is a physician who temporarily fulfills the duties of another doctor. And because they typically come from other areas, and need to stay within a certain distance of the hospital, housing is a challenge.
We also learned that we need to bring more learners to our hospitals, we need to give medical students the ability to experience the incredible medicine that is practiced here. We're working with the medical community and Dalhousie University to help get our community ready to host more students. Where will they stay? Who will make sure they're experiencing all that Lunenburg County can offer them and ensure that they won't feel isolated or alone here?
For the most part, doctors told us that they're very satisfied with the medicine they're practicing here and the lifestyle they experience in Lunenburg County. Our hospitals are accessible; communities are close. There is a cultural diversity that they didn't expect here. They love the food, the music, the events, and the people here. But we're a bit of a secret. Communities all across the country are recruiting doctors. Even neighbouring communities in Nova Scotia are stepping up and being more aggressive with their recruiting strategy. We learned that we'd have to 'up our game' to get noticed.
We heard from doctors who were mentored by other seasoned doctors or doctors more familiar with practicing in this province. We also heard from doctors who weren't. Doctors who were mentored had a better experience.
So, NOW what? What do we do with this information?
We at NOW Lunenburg County have become excellent listeners. When we asked people, "What do you need from your community? and what would it take for you to move to Lunenburg County,?" people told us they need access to a family doctor. We didn't know the first thing about recruiting doctors. But lucky for us, we have some incredible doctors in our community, and no one can recruit a doctor better than a doctor. So, we asked them. We invited doctors to meet with us so that we could learn some of their challenges. We were able to ask them, "What brought you here, what will keep you here and how can we bring more people like you here?"
What we learned answered our question, "What role can our community play in retaining and attracting doctors?."
We learned that we need locums. A locum is a physician who temporarily fulfills the duties of another doctor. And because they typically come from other areas, and need to stay within a certain distance of the hospital, housing is a challenge.
We also learned that we need to bring more learners to our hospitals, we need to give medical students the ability to experience the incredible medicine that is practiced here. We're working with the medical community and Dalhousie University to help get our community ready to host more students. Where will they stay? Who will make sure they're experiencing all that Lunenburg County can offer them and ensure that they won't feel isolated or alone here?
For the most part, doctors told us that they're very satisfied with the medicine they're practicing here and the lifestyle they experience in Lunenburg County. Our hospitals are accessible; communities are close. There is a cultural diversity that they didn't expect here. They love the food, the music, the events, and the people here. But we're a bit of a secret. Communities all across the country are recruiting doctors. Even neighbouring communities in Nova Scotia are stepping up and being more aggressive with their recruiting strategy. We learned that we'd have to 'up our game' to get noticed.
We heard from doctors who were mentored by other seasoned doctors or doctors more familiar with practicing in this province. We also heard from doctors who weren't. Doctors who were mentored had a better experience.
So, NOW what? What do we do with this information?
>WE're hosting PHYSICIANS
We have our thumb on the pulse of the community, which is awesome, because we need their help!
We shared with the community what we learned from the doctors, and they stepped up! We were gifted an executive-style apartment by someone in our community, and that is where our locums and visiting students stay while they experience life in our county. We now have a space we can offer to doctors and their families so they can spend more time exploring our community when considering where they might relocate. It's difficult, I dare say impossible, to truly get a sense of all that Lunenburg County offers by simply driving through it.
With the support of our incredibly generous business community we are also able to offer our guests local experiences such as dinners from local restaurants, beers from our breweries, whale watching tours, admission to concerts and galleries. We've even hosted a lobster dinner and wine and cheese with our guests, because, that's what happens in Lunenburg County.
We shared with the community what we learned from the doctors, and they stepped up! We were gifted an executive-style apartment by someone in our community, and that is where our locums and visiting students stay while they experience life in our county. We now have a space we can offer to doctors and their families so they can spend more time exploring our community when considering where they might relocate. It's difficult, I dare say impossible, to truly get a sense of all that Lunenburg County offers by simply driving through it.
With the support of our incredibly generous business community we are also able to offer our guests local experiences such as dinners from local restaurants, beers from our breweries, whale watching tours, admission to concerts and galleries. We've even hosted a lobster dinner and wine and cheese with our guests, because, that's what happens in Lunenburg County.
>We're marketing to PHYSICIANS
How are we going to attract doctors if they've never heard of Lunenburg County?
Through a video series called, Practice more than Medicine in Lunenburg County, we're sharing the real stories of some doctors and their families who are living and practicing in Lunenburg County. We've shared the series with medical students in attendance at conferences. We've helped host Dalhousie Med Students for dinners and invited them to our community. And we're not above seeking out doctors from other provinces (sorry Ontario), but if you're a doctor and your commitment runs out soon, you may have already heard from us. And we may have already sent you links such as these to invite you to learn more about our affordable real estate, our incredible concerts, arts and culture, our recreation, and our opportunities for lifelong learning. Go ahead - click on them and have another look. You know you want to!
Through a video series called, Practice more than Medicine in Lunenburg County, we're sharing the real stories of some doctors and their families who are living and practicing in Lunenburg County. We've shared the series with medical students in attendance at conferences. We've helped host Dalhousie Med Students for dinners and invited them to our community. And we're not above seeking out doctors from other provinces (sorry Ontario), but if you're a doctor and your commitment runs out soon, you may have already heard from us. And we may have already sent you links such as these to invite you to learn more about our affordable real estate, our incredible concerts, arts and culture, our recreation, and our opportunities for lifelong learning. Go ahead - click on them and have another look. You know you want to!
"Hello Dr Tom Dietz., meet Dr. Tarah Millen.
Tom, Tarah is amazing and is really helpful in helping doctors get the "lay of the land". She also works at the hospital in Lunenburg. She's happy to welcome you and encourages you to reach out to her. Best via email first (I've cc'd her on this).
Tom, as for the community piece, that's me! If you need to get your children into school, hockey, art or dance. If you'd like to learn about the community and all that we offer I can direct you. If you have a partner who is looking for employment or to volunteer, I can learn a little about their wants and hopes and connect them to where they might like to try as well. Just give me an idea of what you'd like to learn and I can start sending you the links you need:)
Also, if you happen to be in Mahone Bay at the Saltbox Brewery, tonight is Star Wars Trivia, if you're into that, and also Saltbox Sweaters will be there (That's a running group- cute right?). They love new people.
The Mug and Anchor Pub is right down the street if you're looking for a place to have dinner. Great people, cozy atmosphere. The Knott Pub in Lunenburg (Looks like a Hobbit's house on the outside, a ship on the inside. It's awesome) Then on Friday night, the amazing Ed Halverson and Lorne Spence are playing at the Grand Banker! There is also a high school hockey game playing in our facility in Lunenburg. So, if you're a sports fan, that could be fun! I've included links.
Let me know if you need anything or have any questions. My number is 902-523-5725.
Tina
