Frequently Asked Questions for Rural Communities

To apply, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• be one of the following: (a) a family medicine resident physician in their second year of residency completing their training before the end of the calendar year or (b) a family medicine physician in their R3 year of enhanced skills training completing their R3 training before the end of the calendar year
• demonstrate interest in rural health
• be willing to sign a return-of-service agreement

Having received other grant funding does not affect an applicant’s eligibility for the RESIDE Program as long as that funding did not come with a return-of-service expectation.

The list of communities for which physicians are eligible for RESIDE Program support was developed by the RESIDE Communities of Need Committee. This committee is comprised of representatives from Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and RhPAP. Each year, the RESIDE communities are identified based on specific criteria, including the following:

• number of physicians and clinics in the community
• number of physicians over 65 years of age
• evaluation of a number of indicators representing primary care need and physician demand
• proximity to closest alternative facility, regional facility, and tertiary centre
• the current and historic number of physician vacancies in the community

For the purposes of this program, the communities ranked as Level 1 are the most remote from the closest secondary care centre while the communities ranked as Level 2 are less remote.

Applicants are matched to communities according to how they ranked communities in their application, how well they meet the requirements of the positions in those communities, and how well the interests and rural experiences they’ve identified in their application form fit these communities. Successful applicants retain the right to accept or decline the position in the community with which they have been matched.

The application form includes questions on the interests, rural connections, and experiences of the applicant and, where applicable, their family. This information will be used to determine which communities have opportunities that align well with the applicant’s interests and experiences.

Yes. If potential applicants have specific questions about a community, the RESIDE Team in coordination with one of RhPAP’s rural community consultants will identify and connect the potential applicant with a member of the local health workforce attraction and retention network who is able to answer their questions.

The Application Review Committee will consider all applications and endeavour to inform all applicants of the results of the review process in May.

Program organizers will endeavour to match applicants to one of their preferred communities. Where applicants decide they don’t wish to practise in that community, the applicant may choose to either access one of the opportunities that remain open or decline to participate in the program.

Yes. If successful applicants have specific questions about the community to which they’ve been matched, the RESIDE Team in coordination with one of RhPAP’s rural community consultants will identify and connect them with a member of the local health workforce attraction and retention network who will be best able to answer their questions.

Community supports will be identified and provided by the local health workforce attraction and retention network, RhPAP’s local rural community consultant, and/or other local residents who will be involved in helping to ensure the RESIDE physician has a smooth integration into the community. Community-organized attraction and retention initiatives and activities will include the RESIDE physician. Community supports will be designed on a case-by-case basis to help ensure a smooth transition and sustained integration of the RESIDE physician and, if applicable, their family.

Work-related supports can be discussed with the RESIDE physician’s supervisor or community medical director.

The RESIDE physician’s family will be included in all of the relevant welcoming and integration activities offered to the physician. Information collected in the RESIDE Application and Partner Forms may be used to customize a community orientation and design supports based on the needs and interests of the family.

A member of RhPAP’s Housing Team will be contacting each physician after they have signed a RESIDE Contract to determine their accommodations preferences and options. Once arrangements have been agreed upon, RhPAP will cover the cost of the physician’s first three months of accommodations in the community to a set amount. However, if RhPAP and the physician cannot agree on accommodations, the cost of the physician’s first three months of accommodations may not be covered. This benefit is in addition to and distinct from the RESIDE financial benefit.