General practitioners and family physicians

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Very good for general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.Health care demands from an aging population and a restricted supply of workers contribute to opportunities for this occupation. The absence of general practitioners and family physicians tends to be more acute in rural communities since these professionals often migrate to regions with medical institutions and health care centres. Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services has been actively recruiting, using a variety of incentives such as cash bonuses.Here are some key facts about general practitioners and family physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 900 people work in this occupation. General practitioners and family physicians mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 61%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 37% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 83% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations66% of general practitioners and family physicians work all year, while 34% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.51% of general practitioners and family physicians are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Very good for general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.General practitioners and family physicians remain in shortage across P.E.I., with thousands of residents still without a family doctor and rural emergency rooms facing periodic closures due to staffing gaps. The province’s five-year health plan continues to expand medical homes and introduce new roles such as Physician Assistants and Associate Physicians to ease pressure on the system. Recruitment campaigns are ongoing by the province, including incentives to attract physicians from other provinces and internationally. Demand is driven by the aging population, immigration growth, and long wait times for surgeries and primary care access. For new graduates or those seeking opportunities, P.E.I. offers meaningful career prospects, especially for those willing to work in group practices or rural communities. Advances in technology and testing methods are also helping physicians manage larger patient loads, making adaptability and openness to collaborative care models important for success in this evolving health system. Here are some key facts about general practitioners and family physicians in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 300 people work in this occupation. General practitioners and family physicians mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 64%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 32% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 95% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 5% compared to 16% for all occupations72% of general practitioners and family physicians work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.33% of general practitioners and family physicians are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 47% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 53% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 8% for all occupations

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Very good for general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it easy to find work.Health care demands from an aging population and a restricted supply of workers contribute to opportunities for this occupation. There are ongoing reports in the media of doctor shortages in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Health Authority has been actively recruiting, and some positions remain difficult to fill. Extensive recruiting may be necessary at times to fill a position.Here are some key facts about general practitioners and family physicians in Nova Scotia: Approximately 1,850 people work in this occupation. General practitioners and family physicians mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 52%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 45% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 92% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 8% compared to 18% for all occupations71% of general practitioners and family physicians work all year, while 28% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 47 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.62% of general practitioners and family physicians are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 10% for all occupations