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This week’s Vitals is 1,314 words or a 5 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Doctor Shortage Improving — But Retention at Risk: Manitoba is climbing out of a record physician shortage, thanks to record recruitment gains. But new data from Doctors Manitoba’s 2025 Physicians in Manitoba report shows a looming retention risk if things don't improve.
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Nominate a Colleague as Physician of the Year: This award will go to a doctor who exemplifies excellence in practice and impact and will be presented at our gala in May. Nominations are open until December 15!
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Quebec’s Bill 2 Detrimental to Province’s Health System: Doctors Manitoba joins the CMA in its staunch disapproval of new legislation in Quebec that is equally as hostile to physicians as it is to patients and the overall health care system.
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Peer Support for Physicians: On Thursday, November 19, join us for a webinar on how peer support leads to stronger social networks, reduced isolation and improved ability to navigate stress and burnout.
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Mentorship Improv Night: Physicians and learners joined us for a night of improv at our fall mentorship kick-off event last week. Thanks for coming!
Plus, be sure to check out the posters, social media posts and email copy we’ve made for you to talk to your patients about respiratory illness season!
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Doctor Shortage Improving — But Retention at Risk
312 words / 1.5 min read
💡 What’s new: Manitoba is climbing out of a record physician shortage, thanks to record recruitment gains. But new data from Doctors Manitoba’s 2025 Physicians in Manitoba report shows a looming retention risk if things don't improve.
- Manitoba saw a net gain of 164 doctors last year — the largest increase ever recorded.
- The province now has 225 doctors per 100,000 residents, a 2.5% improvement that brings us closer to the national average of 241.
- Manitoba now needs 246 more physicians to meet that national average — down sharply from 445 two years ago.
🩺 Yes, but: Progress on recruitment is only half the story. Manitoba continues to lose more physicians to other provinces than it gains, and many local graduates plan to leave.
- In 2024, Manitoba lost 8.3 doctors per 1,000 to other provinces — the second worst rate in Canada.
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43% of doctors are considering retiring, leaving, or reducing their hours within three years. This means 710 doctors are considering leaving practice here by 2028.
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Only 60% of students and residents plan to stay in Manitoba.
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56% of doctors report distress, and 48% report high burnout.
🔍 Between the lines: Burnout and frustration are driving physicians away. Excessive paperwork, siloed electronic systems, and limited access to facilities top the list of concerns.
📰 In the news: Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets is in the news across Manitoba today, highlighting how addressing physician burnout effectively and meaningfully is key to retaining doctors.
👀 What’s next: Doctors Manitoba is calling for action to strengthen retention through reducing unnecessary administrative burden, improving system interoperability, expanding team-based care, and investing in hospitals and community facilities.
Read the full story here.
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Nominate a Colleague as Physician of the Year!
Each year, the Doctors Manitoba Awards celebrate the very best in our medical community. This week we’re profiling Physician of the Year, one of five award categories.
The Physician of the Year award recognizes a doctor who exemplifies excellence in practice and impact. Nominees have made a recent significant achievement or advancement in the practice or study of medicine, or they are widely recognized as an exceptional physician within the community they serve.
Nominations are open until December 15, 2025.
Awards are presented at our Annual Awards Gala, planned for Friday, May 1, 2026.
Get started!
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Quebec’s Bill 2 Detrimental to Province’s Health System
A new Quebec law aims to overhaul the province’s physician remuneration system by tying 10% of compensation to performance targets set by the government and fining doctors tens of thousands of dollars a day for various infractions. The law is facing several legal challenges and driving doctors there to consider leaving the province altogether. Prior to the bill’s passage, the Quebec government had refused to bargain a new Physician Services Agreement, maintaining that physicians are ethically bound to continue providing services even without a contract.
Doctors Manitoba joins the Canadian Medical Association in its staunch disapproval of the legislation. It is equally as hostile to physicians as it is to patients and detrimental to the health system. We will continue to offer our support to colleagues in Quebec and stand with the CMA on their efforts.
If you hear from colleagues in Quebec who are feeling distress and considering a move, you can invite them to contact us at practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Peer Support for Physicians
On Thursday, November 19, join Dr. Alexis Botkin, Doctors Manitoba Medical Lead for Physician Health and Wellness, for a webinar on the value of peer support, and the evidence on how it benefits physicians. Physicians who use peer support demonstrate improved coping skills, stronger social networks and reduced isolation.
“Peer support is a way to provide comfort and assistance, and to hold space for colleagues,” said Dr. Botkin. “It offers a confidential way to connect with someone who understands what you’re going through, and it’s part of a bigger cultural shift toward making it okay to ask for help.”
View event details and register.
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Last week marked the kick-off of a new year with the Doctors Manitoba Mentorship Program.
“Having a strong mentorship group helped me ride through the wave that was medical school and residency,” said Dr. William Li, a paediatrician and member of the Doctors Manitoba Board of Directors.
This year is a record-breaking one, with the largest number of program participants in our history, with more than 400 mentors and mentees combined.
As the 2025 mentorship year unfolds, enthusiasm is high. “Seeing everyone here makes me optimistic about the future of health care,” said Dr. Li. “I can’t wait to see the new connections and community we continue to build.”
You can join our program as a mentor or mentee anytime. For more information about the program, reach out to Mentorship and Member Engagement Coordinator Cynthia Okojie at cokojie@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Changes to HCV Antibody Confirmation & Reporting
140 words / 0.5 min read
What’s new: Cadham Provincial Laboratory (CPL) has updated the provincial HCV laboratory screening protocol.
The goal: This new process simplifies the diagnosis of active Hepatitis C for clinicians and public health practitioners.
How it works:
- Screen positive results for HCV antibody (HCV Ab) will be confirmed by nucleic acid testing (NAT) to detect circulating HCV RNA.
- For those who have previously cleared or been previously treated for HCV and achieved SVR (sustained viral response), HCV RNA detection will be the only reliable method remaining to diagnose reinfection.
- HCV RNA to assess for reinfection should only be requested in high risk cases with suggestive laboratory or clinical findings.
Why it matters: This streamlined process simplifies HCV diagnosis and supports earlier treatment for Manitobans.
Learn more: View Shared Health's memo to health care providers here and find Manitoba’s Hepatitis C protocol here.
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Call for Volunteers: 2026 Manitoba Winter Games
110 words / 0.5 min read
Why it matters: The 2026 Manitoba Winter Games is calling on medical professionals to join its volunteer medical team. Your expertise will help ensure a safe, healthy, and successful Games experience for athletes and spectators alike from March 1–7, 2026 in Thompson.
The opportunity:
- Practicing members from across Manitoba are invited to contribute for part of the week or the full duration.
- Volunteers play a vital role in athlete care and event safety.
- Transportation, lodging, and meals can be provided.
Bottom line: Physicians and other medical professionals are essential to keeping the Games healthy and strong. Your skills can make a real difference. Sign up today!
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Canadian Patient Safety Week
120 words / 0.5 min read
What’s new: It's Canadian Patient Safety Week, and Shared Health is encouraging physicians to extend resources to patients that help foster a collaborative and safe space for their questions.
It's safe to ask: This year’s It’s Safe to Ask campaign highlights how health literacy, experience with trauma, systemic racism and/or stigma may affect a patient’s comfort level in asking their health care provider questions. New videos offer a roadmap for patients and providers to navigate these challenges.
Why it matters:
- Including patients, families, and communities helps identify risks that might otherwise be missed.
- Collaboration strengthens trust and accountability across the system.
- Safer care grows from shared understanding and open communication.
Learn more: Explore Healthcare Excellence Canada’s Spotlight Series and take the survey to share your voice in shaping safer care.
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Phenomenal Physicians
Congratulations to Dr. Christina Raimondi whose outstanding contributions to the field of women’s reproductive health are being honoured with the Federation of Medical Women in Canada’s Reproductive Health Award! “We celebrate Dr. Raimondi’s commitment to advancing care, education, and advocacy that support women’s health across Canada and beyond,” FMWC Canada said in an announcement. Their enthusiasm is shared by Dr. Raimondi’s colleagues at the FMWC Manitoba branch!
If you would like to highlight a Phenomenal Physician, email us at general@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has one new practice opportunity for physicians in Manitoba this week at Concordia Medical Centre, and dozens more opportunities too. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Manitoba Health is expanding eligibility for the Men-C-ACYW vaccine and working to immediately catch up everyone who is and has been eligible and providing important information about how you can help. Learn more here.
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Expanded Doc360: Doctors Manitoba now offers counselling and service navigation support to members' dependent children 12 years of age and older. Learn more!
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Physician Health Better, but Far from Good: New data shows physician wellness has improved since the peak of the pandemic but is still worse than before COVID-19 arrived.
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We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers.
Featured Event:
Family Medicine Forum
🗓️ November 5 – 8
⏰ 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
📍 RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave
Family Medicine Forum (FMF) is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive annual conference for family physicians hosted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). This year it’s in Winnipeg and Doctors Manitoba is a proud sponsor.
Learn more and register here.
Manitoba Night with the Manitoba College of Family Physicians (MCFP), November 5, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The MCFP invites you to an evening of cocktails, appetizers, music and great company as we honour our peers and the excellence of family medicine in Manitoba. Register here.
From Awareness to Action: Igniting Ideas for Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Clinical Practice, November 5, 11 a.m. to noon, virtual. This webinar explores prevention strategies and the critical role of clinical professionals as trusted agents of change in addressing social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Register here.
Opioid Agonist Therapy 101: Introduction to Clinical Practice, November 13 – 14, Thompson, and November 20-21, Winnipeg. These workshops will equip you with new knowledge and skills around opioid addiction and the resources available to support patients. Learn more and register here.
Sport Medicine Football Symposium, November 15, presented by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Medical team in partnership with CASEM. Develop and enhance knowledge of and skill in the care of athletes and common musculoskeletal problems seen in primary care. Learn more and register here.
Movement Disorder Clinic Conference for Healthcare Providers, November 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Deer Lodge Centre. Learn more about Parkinson’s disease. Learn more and register here.
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We are here to support the whole physician.
Every step of the way.
Your health & well-being are important to us.
Visit DRMB.ca/HELP to connect to support services or call 1.844.433.3762
For all other support, including benefits and insurance support,
career resources or practice advice please
email general@doctorsmanitoba.ca or call 204.985.5888
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Visit DRMB.ca/Bannatyne for more information on our Bannatyne office and to view the full calendar.
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