The plan centres around creating incentives for healthcare providers to join team-based practices under the Family Medicine New Brunswick model, which was launched in 2017 and failed to grow as expected. Only 5% of physicians enrolled over the past five years, with uptake especially low in francophone areas. Fifty-five percent of N.B. physicians continue to work in solo practices - the highest percentage in the country. Incentives of the Family Medicine New Brunswick Model include:
- A 15% increase in the rate physicians are paid based on the age and gender of each patient rostered to them;
- A $15,000 annual stipend to hire a full-time RN; and/or a $10,000 annual stipend to hire a full-time LPN; and
- Up to $40,000 a year in overhead relief and an extended-hours premium, allowing physicians to bill a higher percentage of fee-for-service when working outside the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends.
Some of the other strategies designed to address systemic challenges include integrating other health professionals into the teams, such as NPs, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists and mental health counsellors. In addition, the role of pharmacists will be expanded, allowing them to conduct medication reviews, treat more minor ailments and manage chronic disease.
Related:
Les pratiques collaboratives au cœur du nouveau plan d’action en matière de soins de santé primaires - Gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick