By Cheryl Jahn

Research shows challenges to rural medical practice

Aug 23, 2024 | 3:05 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It’s why we live in rural BC. The people. And the same holds true for those graduates of the Northern Medical Program.

“Socializing with patients outside of a clinical setting is inevitable when you live in a rural community. It’s what we like about living in small places, rural, northern and remote communities, you know your neighbours, you get to interact with them as teammates on sports teams and go to their businesses and ask for advice and those sorts of things,” explains Dr. Andrea Gingerich, UBC Northern Medical Program Associate Professor.

But that’s a problem. Why? The College of Physicians and Surgeons has something called an ethical code of conduct which sets out rules around interpersonal relationships.

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“Our regulatory colleges recommend that we not do this, that we try to avoid it whenever possible,” explains Dr. Andrea Gingerich. “It’s just more difficult to navigate professional boundaries. And if they’re not navigated well, there’s a potential for harm to patients and practitioners. Conflict of interest clouded clinical judgment, and then not good work-life balance.”

Much of the student population in the Northern Medical Program hails from rural and remote communities. But this Code of Conduct sometimes detracts those new physicians from practicing in their home communities.

“They run up against this code of ethical conduct which says, ‘Do not treat your neighbours, do not treat your friends, and be very wary of the dual role you play in rural communities where you probably know family and friends.’ They might be from there, and many of them are reluctant to return to those communities because of having to navigate those ethical boundaries.”