To address the first part of the question, there are other techniques we can use to extend our physician abilities, and using other health care professionals will certainly extend the capabilities of the existing physicians that we have. As you can probably tell, I could go on for hours and hours in this area.
Across the country, there are various forms of primary care reform that are now introducing nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and mental health navigators into the health care system. That certainly extends the capabilities of our existing physicians. Having nurse practitioners work with specialists extends what they're able to do. So by using other health care professionals and other techniques--for example, the electronic medical records--we can expand our capacity. Certainly we can still use more physicians, and as you point out, particularly in rural and remote areas.
I guess many medical organizations wrestle with this question. It's always difficult to compel someone. But I think the way we're heading in Canada is that we can develop systems where we become so attractive that people really don't want to move. I know some of my colleagues have moved to the United States. They find that they're only allowed to keep the person in hospital for three days. It doesn't matter that the person is 90 years old and has every complication, the administrator says, “No, the book says three days. Why are you keeping them in longer?”
All of the difficulties and challenges in other countries actually make our system look appealing. I think that having these other professionals, the electronic records, and a really well-integrated system actually attracts, or at least keeps, people. I think it's always difficult to compel people.
Personally, I would hope that people realize it's we the taxpayers who fund a lot of the education for these people and that there would be some obligation.