The methodology used in CIHI’s (Canadian Institute for Health Information) recently released physician compensation report does not allow for a true reflection of the average compensation to a full-time physician on Prince Edward Island, says Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie.
“Earlier this year, we expressed our concerns with the way that CIHI determines and reports the average physician compensation which has previously resulted in an understated average for Prince Edward Island,” says Minister Currie. “We are a small health care jurisdiction with a unique mix of full-time and part-time physicians in addition to locum physicians brought in to temporarily fill vacancies or cover leaves of absence. Unfortunately, CIHI does not make adjustments for these types of physicians in their reporting, and the result is a lower physician compensation average compared to the rest of Canada. This is why we chose not to participate in this report.”
“Health PEI has been engaged in discussions with CIHI over the past several months as it relates to the methodology they use to determine average physician compensation as it relates to our jurisdiction,” says Denise Lewis Fleming, Health PEI Executive Director of Financial Services. “Their organization recognizes our concerns and is working with us to determine how best to move forward so that Prince Edward Island may participate in future CIHI reporting in this area.”
In the 2011-12, Prince Edward Island had 327 physicians, of which fifty-six per cent worked full time, nineteen per cent worked part time, and twenty-five per cent were locums and other non-complement physicians such as visiting specialists. Prince Edward Island’s calculation of average compensation per full-time physician during that fiscal year was $382,819 – the top in Atlantic Canada.
The most recent agreement reached with the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island recognizes the need to remain fiscally prudent while also respecting the valuable service physicians provide. The 2010-2015 Master Physician Agreement ensures physician compensation is competitive with other Atlantic Canadian provinces.
“Physicians are integral to the fabric of our health care system and play a key role in our efforts to care for and maintain the health and well-being of Islanders. We know that competitive compensation is necessary to recruit and retain physicians within our health care system,” said Minister Currie.