Survey summary

• 56% of physicians who responded to the survey indicated that they know a colleague who will leave the province if the proposed changes are enacted.
• 52% of respondents indicated that they are considering moving their practice or professional activities to another jurisdiction if the proposed changes are enacted.
• 43% of physicians who responded to the survey indicated that they’ll consider reducing the number of hours they dedicate to their practice or professional activities if the proposed changes are enacted.
• 42% of respondents indicated that they will consider changing their practice profile (that is, cease offering less remunerative services) if the proposed changes are enacted.

Conclusion 

• Physicians believe patient care will be affected if the proposed tax changes are implemented.
• Physicians believe physician recruitment and retention in Nova Scotia will be even more challenging. 
• Physicians may choose to leave Nova Scotia to practise elsewhere in the country or internationally.
• Physicians may choose to change the way they work in order to offset the loss, for example, by reducing hours, reducing unpaid work, choosing specialty work rather than primary care, or doing more private pay work.
• Physicians are concerned for their financial well-being and their ability to practise in Nova Scotia.

Method

Doctors Nova Scotia emailed the invitation to participate in the Federal Tax Survey to 3,515 physicians (practising physicians, physicians on leave, retired physicians, residents and medical students). In total, 864 physicians completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 25 percent. The survey questions were composed by Doctors Nova Scotia and circulated using an online tool. The survey was open for the three-week period from Aug. 18 to Sept. 8, 2017.