New Brunswick Medical Society officials are concerned about a shortage of physicians in the province, with more than 20,000 New Brunswickers signed up for a waiting list meant to connect them with a family doctor. However, the provincial government says statistics show the province is performing above the national average in offering citizens regular access to primary care services. Horizon Health Network says there are "very few" physician vacancies in the province, with an online list of postings for physician vacancies pointing to 82.5 physician vacancies - 29.5 family medicine positions and 53 specialist positions. The Department of Health says there are only 24.5 family physician vacancies and 24 vacancies for specialists, explaining that some vacancies stay online until the practitioner begins working. The department has hired a recruitment co-ordinator, who has been asked to oversee hiring efforts and to develop a strategy to attract physicians to the province and prepare succession plans for key regions and positions. A department official said the 20,200 people searching for a primary healthcare provider represents less than 3% of the provincial population, pointing to CIHI ranking the province as No.1 in Canada for citizens having ongoing access to a primary care provider. Data collected by the New Brunswick Health Council in 2014 suggests that among people with a family doctor, only 30.1% reported being able to book an appointment with their practitioner within 48 hours. Asked about there they typically access primary care services, 17% of New Brunswickers reported using after-hours or walk-in clinics, while 11.5% said they usually visit their local emergency department for care.
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