Authors Jasmine C. Mah Dalhousie University Tharsan Kanagalingam Western University Sarah Best Lawson Health Research Institute Sallie Elhayek Lawson Health Research Institute Jenny Thain Western University José A. Morais McGill University Marianne Lamarre Quebec Network Geriatric Program Jaspreet Bhangu Western University Michael J. Borrie Western University Luxey Sirisegaram University of Toronto, University Health Network and Sinai Health Systems DOI: https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.27.774 Keywords: Geriatrics, Practice location, Geriatric residents, geriatricians, survey, Canadian, recruitment, rural medicine Abstract

Background

There is a projected and growing gap of geriatricians in Canada. Geriatricians play a crucial role in addressing the health needs of older adults. We aimed to understand the factors that influence the choice of first-practice location for new geriatricians in the context of an aging Canadian population.

Methods

We distributed an online survey to geriatric medicine subspecialty residents and recently licensed geriatricians in Canada. The survey was developed through expert opinions, career planning sessions, and a literature review. There were nine survey sections: general characteristics, location determinants, practice determinants, colleague determinants, support and space, non-clinical opportunities, income models, lifestyle factors, and recruitment determinants. The data were analyzed descriptively.

Results

A total of 61 respondents (51 English, 10 French) completed the survey. The respondents were new practicing geriatricians (37) and geriatric medicine residents (24). Most planned to practice in Ontario (26.2%) or Quebec (27.9%), and 75.4% were women. Flexibility in work-life balance (95.1%), collegiality (93.4%) and reasonable call schedules (93.4%) were the most important factors influencing first practice location. Income did not rank among the highest priorities for choosing the first practice location relative to other factors but was mentioned in open-ended responses to recruitment questions.

Conclusions

This is the first survey identifying the determinants of first practice location in geriatric medicine in Canada. Work-life balance and collegial support are a priority for new geriatricians and may be the strongest incentives a program can provide. For recruitment, income incentives may be beneficial to building new specialized geriatric services. Future research will examine determinants of first practice location among Care of the Elderly clinicians.

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How to Cite

1.

Mah J, Kanagalingam T, Best S, Elhayek S, Thain J, Morais J, Lamarre M, Bhangu J, J. Borrie M, Sirisegaram L. Determinants of First Practice Location among Canadian Geriatric Medicine Trainees and Recent Graduates: Findings of a Cross-sectional Survey in 2023. Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 2 [cited 2025 Feb. 8];27(4):485-99. Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/774

Issue Section

Original Research