A Turning Point in Physician Migration
For decades, Canada has watched many of its homegrown physicians leave for the United States, seeking higher compensation, more flexible practice opportunities, and less red tape. But now, the tide may be turning — and for the first time in recent memory, Canada could become the destination.
This topic took center stage in a recent episode of the Elbows Up podcast, where our CEO and Founder, John Philpott, joined hosts Jordan and Laura to discuss the potential for reversing the physician “brain drain” and bringing American doctors north of the border.
Why U.S. Doctors Are Looking North
A number of American physicians are reevaluating their futures in the wake of growing political and social unrest in the U.S. Key factors include:
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Restrictive abortion laws and limitations on medical autonomy
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Increased politicization of healthcare and public health science
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Burnout from private practice and insurance complexities
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A desire for more balanced, patient-centered care systems
Canada’s public health system, strong emphasis on work-life balance, and social stability are becoming more appealing than ever before — especially for physicians who are values-driven and focused on delivering patient care without systemic barriers.
Canada’s Physician Shortage: A Window of Opportunity
Canada is currently facing a severe shortage of physicians, particularly in primary care and rural areas. This shortage poses an ongoing challenge to provincial healthcare systems — but it also presents an opportunity.
If Canada can create a clearer, more streamlined pathway for American-trained physicians to practice here, it could be a win-win: bolstering our healthcare system while offering U.S. doctors an alternative to increasingly difficult working conditions.
Licensing and Integration: The Bottlenecks
John Philpott highlighted an important caveat: interest alone is not enough. Licensing and regulatory challenges remain one of the biggest barriers for internationally-trained physicians — even those trained in the U.S. healthcare system.
To truly benefit from this wave of interest, Canada must:
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Modernize licensure pathways for U.S.-trained MDs
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Coordinate across provinces to create consistency and transparency
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Support transition and relocation for doctors and their families
CanAm’s Role in Facilitating Change
At CanAm, we’ve been at the forefront of physician recruitment for over two decades. Beyond connecting healthcare facilities with exceptional physicians — and physicians with meaningful opportunities — we also support each candidate throughout the process of navigating provincial credentialing and licensing requirements.
We work closely with physicians to help them understand the pathway specific to the province they’re pursuing, and if a work permit is required, we connect them with experienced immigration lawyers to assist with the process.
With increasing interest from U.S.-trained doctors, now is the time to ensure we’re providing the right support to make their transition into the Canadian healthcare system as smooth as possible.
Interested in learning more about how CanAm can help your organization recruit top talent—or how U.S. physicians can transition to a career in Canada?
Reach out to our team today. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
📞 Contact Us | ✉️ info@canamrecruiting.ca | 🌐 www.canamrecruiting.ca
Interested in hearing more?
🎧 Listen to the full episode here
