Recruitment Incentives for Residents in High-Demand Specialties
High-Demand Resident Incentive Program
Established December 2024 – This incentive includes residents who had started in their fourth or fifth year of the residency program in or after July 2024.
Program Summary
University of Saskatchewan medical residents in eligible programs of Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Radiology, and Emergency Medicine (FRCP) may be eligible for up to $60,000 in bursary funding for years 4 and 5 of residency ($30,000/year) if residents agree to provide a return of service to the province for two years.
The High-Demand Resident Bursary program is funded by the Ministry of Health and administered by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
Program Description
Eligibility
Residents are eligible to apply if they are:
- Enrolled in an Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Radiology, or Emergency Medicine (FRCP) Specialty Residency Program at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan; and are
- In their 4th or 5th postgraduate year of their residency program
Family Practice Anesthetists and Family Practice Emergency Physicians are not eligible for the High-Demand Resident Incentive Program.
Application Process
Applications for incentives must include:
- a completed application form
- consent to be contacted by other healthcare organizations for the purposes of recruitment, including the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA)
The annual application deadline is October 31.*
*For residents completing their PGY4 or PGY5 in the 2024-2025 academic year only, the application deadline is March 31, 2025. Applications targeted to be processed Spring/Summer of 2025.
Applicants must reapply for each year of funding.
Funding
The total incentive available is $60,000. Each successful applicant will be eligible for up to 2 years of funding (at $30,000/year) to a maximum of $60,000. Funding will only be provided while a resident is in training.
- Residents who apply in their 4th year of training are eligible for up to two years of funding
- Residents who apply in their 5th year of training are eligible for up to one year of funding
Incentive income is considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency and T4A slips will be issued for each year the applicant receives funding.
Return of Service Commitment
Upon completion of the medical training as specified in the return-of-service agreement, physicians are required to provide a specified period of service to Saskatchewan.
Total return of service is calculated based on the following:
- One year of full-time service in an eligible community in Saskatchewan for one year of funding.
- Two years of full-time service in an eligible community in Saskatchewan for two years of funding.
- In instances where service is provided on a part-time basis, the return of service commitment will be prorated accordingly.
Following completion of training, residents must practice in one of the following eligible communities:
- Anesthesiology: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, and Regina. Saskatoon is excluded from being an eligible location of practice.
- Diagnostic Radiology: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, and Regina
- Emergency Medicine: Eligible communities include Moose Jaw, Yorkton, North Battleford, Swift Current, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Saskatoon, and Regina
Upon or before completion of residency training, recipients must notify the SHA of their practice location and date on which they intend to commence practice. This will enable accurate and timely tracking of service for the return of service commitment.
Upon completing residency training, physicians have up to six months to establish medical practice in an eligible location in Saskatchewan.
The contract permits the SHA to provide relevant information about the incentive recipient to others in the province who might be interested in the medical services of the incentive recipient (for the purposes of recruitment).
Notification Process
Following confirmation of eligibility, the SHA will contact successful applicants by email with a copy of the incentive return-of-service agreement for signature. This must be signed and returned to the SHA before payment can be made.
To receive funding for subsequent years, applicants will need to reapply each year.
Deferrals
If a return-of-service holder wishes to seek permission to defer the return-of-service commitment, a request must be submitted in writing to the SHA, providing full details, at least three months prior to the commencement of the proposed deferral. Need for additional training (fellowship), maternity/parental leave, serious family illness, death, etc. are examples of situations where deferments would be considered.
All requests for deferrals will be adjudicated by the SHA and Ministry of Health and these decisions will be communicated in writing to return-of-service holders.
Default Provisions
Physicians who fail to complete their service commitment will be required to repay all incentive funds with accumulated interest. This interest amount is calculated by Saskatchewan Finance and the SHA and the amount will be specified in the recipient’s promissory note (included with contract).
Failure to fulfill the terms of this agreement, by either fulfilling their return of service commitment or by repaying all incentive funds with accumulated interest, will result in further collective action. Notification may be given to the College of Physicians and Surgeons who can then make a decision not to issue a certificate of good standing.
Application:
For further information on any part of this program, please contact:
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Provincial Practitioner Staff Affairs
physicianincentives@saskhealthauthority.ca
Approved: January 2025
Revised: