Many small towns struggle with doctor shortages, but the town of Atikokan, Ont., expects to welcome several new doctors next year. The town had been dealing with a low number of doctors and has relied heavily on locums. The person in charge of physician recruitment for the town says the key to its success is explained partly because it’s providing flexible schedules and offering good work-life balance for doctors. She also believes two new nurse practitioners who joined the community's family health team adds to the town's success. Having a full complement of doctors is also allowing physicians to focus on local healthcare. Doctors will have time to focus on prevention and screening for healthy patients, she explained, rather than trying to keep up with the demands of patients who need immediate care.
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