National and Provincial Retention of Medical Graduates of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Lead Researcher and Department
Dr. Maria Mathews; Dept of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University

Collaborators and Students
Dr. James T.B. Rourke, Dean of Medicine, Memorial University; Amanda Park

Summary
Memorial University’s (MUN) medical school was established in 1967 to meet the growing demand for physicians and alleviate the reliance on other Canadian and International medical schools for physicians. However, it is unclear how many of the graduates remained to practice in Canada and in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL).

This study was conducted to identify the characteristics and predictors of MUN medical graduates working in Canada and NL after residency training and asses MUN’s contribution to the physician workforce in NL and in Canada.

Data was linked from class lists, and alumni and postgraduate databases with data from the Southam Medical database to determine practice locations for MUN graduates from 1973 to 1998. Statistical analysis was used to identify predictors for working in Canada and in NL.

The study provides evidence that the MUN medical school has made a substantial contribution to the local physician supply and eased dependence on other Canadian and international medical schools.

The findings in this study support policies in Canadian medical schools that give priority for admission to students from that province, as well as initiatives that encourage rural students to pursue medical careers.

Dates
1973 - 1998

Keywords
Physician Retention, Medical Graduates, Retention Predictors

Locations
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
St. John's
Avalon Peninsula

Industry Sectors
Health Care and Social Assistance
Social Science Research and Development (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — Scientific Research and Development Services — Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities)
Medical Research and Development Laboratories (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — Scientific Research and Development Services — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences)

Thematic Categories
Physicians (Health)

Departments
Faculty of Medicine (STJ)