Rural and Regional Programs for Family Physicians
Rural and Regional Travel Fund
What is it?
This fund provides travel subsidies to rural and regional physicians who travel to provide service in neighboring communities.
Who is eligible?
Rural and regional physicians who provide services such as anaesthesia, surgical assistance, consultations, satellite clinics, and practice coverage to neighboring communities.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact:
E: rsprograms@sma.sk.ca
P: (306) 244-2196
How do I apply?
Download program guidelines and application form below and submit your completed application to rsprograms@sma.sk.ca.
Rural Relief (Locum) Program
What is it?
The Rural Relief Locum Program provides short-term locum relief to general practitioners / family practitioners who are currently working in a rural community in Saskatchewan with fewer than five practising physicians.
Join the team - work across the province!
The Rural Relief Locum Program is looking for part-time physicians to join our group. Please contact Rochelle Plemel, Rural Relief Program Administrator, if you are interested:
E: rochelle.plemel@sma.sk.ca
P: Office (306) 244-2196, Cell (306) 292-9648
Requests can be made for periods of four to 14 days, to a maximum of 30 days per year. The SMA contracts with physicians who are available to travel throughout rural Saskatchewan and replace local physicians on a temporary basis.
Host physicians pay a subsidized rate for each day of locum coverage, as well as an on-call retainer, and arrange accommodations for the visiting physician.
Who is eligible?
General practitioners/family practitioners who are working in a rural community with fewer than five practising physicians.
A physician may request the services of an SMA locum to attend a continuing medical education program, take a vacation, or ensure medical coverage to the community while attending to personal / family matters.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact:
Rochelle Plemel, Rural Relief Program Administrator
E: rochelle.plemel@sma.sk.ca
P: Office (306) 244-2196, Cell (306) 292-9648
How do I apply?
Fill out an application for coverage at ruralrelief.sma.sk.ca.
The SMA will contact you (approximately one month in advance) through the portal to let you know if a locum physician is available to fill your request.
Rural and Regional Physician Enhancement Training
What is it?
Every year, this program provides funding for two practising rural or regional physicians and for two second-year family medicine residents to complete a third year of training in a supernumerary position, to enhance their skills in obstetrics, anaesthesia, general surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, or geriatrics at the University of Saskatchewan.
Practising rural or regional physicians receive income replacement funding, prorated to the program length, totaling up to $110,000 per year in equal monthly installments (beginning the month they begin their program). Third-year family medicine residents in supernumerary positions receive a stipend equal to that of a resident at Pay Level C in the College of Medicine grid.
Recipients must complete a return-of-service. This can be completed in a rural, northern, or regional community. Return-of-service may also be completed through the Rural Relief Program.
Who is eligible?
- Practising rural or regional physicians
- Second year family medicine residents
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact:
E: rsprograms@sma.sk.ca
P: (306) 244-2196
How do I apply?
Download program guidelines and application form below and submit your completed application to rsprograms@sma.sk.ca.
Rural and Regional Extended Leave Program
What is it?
This program reimburses physicians in rural or regional practice for the costs and foregone practice income associated with personalized educational instruction.
The program covers costs for periods of one to six weeks in length. Physicians who receive support from the fund will be expected to provide one month of service in Saskatchewan for every week of funding.
Who is eligible?
Physicians in rural and regional practice who are upgrading their skills and knowledge in an area of their choice (e.g., anaesthesia, obstetrics, surgery). Physicians must have 12 months of continuous licensure and have practised in Saskatchewan for at least 12 months prior to applying.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact:
E: rsprograms@sma.sk.ca
P: (306) 244-2196
How do I apply?
Download program guidelines and application form below and submit your completed application to rsprograms@sma.sk.ca.
Rural and Regional Emergency Care Continuing Medical Education (CME) Fund
What is it?
This program reimburses physicians in rural and regional practice for tuition costs and a portion of the travel and accommodation expenses associated with ACLS, PALS, ATLS, NRP, ALSO, ALARM, and AIME.
The program will support physicians to certify or re-certify their skills in emergency care training and risk management. Online courses that do not include an in-person demonstration of the practical skills will be accepted up to December 31, 2021.
Who is eligible?
- Physicians must have appropriate licensure, and
- Must be practising in rural or regional Saskatchewan prior to applying to the fund, and
- Must provide services in rural or regional Saskatchewan after completing the educational activity.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information, please contact:
E: rsprograms@sma.sk.ca
P: (306) 244-2196
How do I apply?
Download program guidelines and application form below and submit your completed application to rsprograms@sma.sk.ca.