The Government of Alberta is looking to get healthcare students from the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, into rural parts of the province to help manage healthcare problems.
Alberta’s health minister announced in Hinton on Thursday that the Province would be creating a $16-million Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program.
In addition, the province will also be creating a $800,000 Medical First Responder (MFR) Grant program and a $600,000 Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) Education Grant program.
The goal of the bursary pilot program and the grant programs is to help address challenges and improve outcomes in rural and remote healthcare, according to the province.
“There is an urgent need for customized supports in rural and remote communities across Alberta. This action plan will serve as a roadmap to build and maintain access to high-quality health care in these areas of the province,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health.
Through the bursary program, the province will provide $8 million in annual funding over the next two years.
According to the province, medical students in their final year of an undergraduate medical program at any medical university who have been matched with a family medicine residency program at the University of Alberta or University of Calgary can apply for a bursary of $125,000 (for rural stream applicants) or $200,000 (for remote stream applicants).
In addition, the bursaries will also be available to residents currently completing a family medicine residency at the University of Alberta or University of Calgary, regardless of their year of study, including those graduating in June 2025.
“Investing in our rural health care workforce is essential for communities across the province. The introduction of the Rural and Remote Family Medicine Resident Physician Bursary Pilot Program is a vital step toward attracting and retaining skilled professionals in Alberta’s rural and remote areas,” said Martin Long, parliamentary secretary for rural health.