Doctors receive $29.40 per patient for one-off visits in an after-hours clinic compared with the $47.74 they’re paid for the more comprehensive visits that usually happen in a doctor’s regular practice. Davidson explains that, for after-hours clinics facing inflation and pandemic-related challenges, it isn’t enough. Staffing is also a challenge because the low pay of after-hours clinic work has doctors looking elsewhere. The Department of Health says doctors need to meet requirements of a comprehensive office visit, which includes follow-up care and updating patient care charts to be paid the higher rate. The New Brunswick Medical Society adds Moncton has the highest number of walk-in clinics in N.B. and it believes many factors contribute to after-hours clinics reducing their hours or closing. The society’s CEO says physician recruitment efforts are more focused on creating permanent practices, ideally establishing full-fledged community-based practices and being a steady point of access for 1,000 to 1,200 patients.
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July 04, 2022