Career opportunities and finding work-life balance in a rural emergency department

Dr. Roberto Campanaro began working as an emergency department doctor at Western Hospital in 2015, and he hasn’t looked back. 

Moving to Prince Edward Island (from Ontario) to practice medicine in the small rural community of Alberton has been a positive step for his career and for his personal life.

“My dad’s side of the family has been living in Charlottetown since 1994, so we had plenty of summer trips to the Island visiting family. My wife and I were interested in farming and permaculture , and moving to Prince Edward Island meant that we could be closer to family, have the opportunity to run a hobby farm, and I could continue to practice medicine."

“My favourite thing about working at Western Hospital is the great nursing staff and my very capable and collaborative colleagues, particularly Dr. Bajelan,” he said. “I enjoy the problem solving that is related to acute illness and the fulfillment that comes from helping patients feel better.”

When Dr. Campanaro isn’t in the emergency department, he enjoys spending time on his hobby farm or building boats. 

“My role as an emergency department doctor gives me work-life balance which had sometimes been lacking when I had a full general practice in Ontario. I have time now to work on developing our hobby farm and can spend more time with my family.”

Dr. Campanaro says he’s also pleased with new skills he has been able to learn on the job at Western Hospital to help his patients. 

“I have to thank Dr. Megan Burns and the administrative staff at Western Hospital who were instrumental in securing an ultrasound machine for the emergency department. I have taken some basic ultrasound training and can now use this in my emergency room practice.

There are rewarding career opportunities and competitive incentives here on PEI for physicians looking for experience in a rural setting that isn’t remote. Dr. Campanaro says what makes working at Western Hospital so incredible is the support system. 

“Most physicians know that the heart of any emergency department is the nursing staff and I can say without reservation that the team at Western Hospital is a great group to work alongside. They care about getting it right for our patients. I have great respect for my fellow ED colleagues, most notably Dr. Bajelan, who has been the bedrock of the department for many years.  We also receive crucial support from our specialist colleagues from across the province, especially from Prince County Hospital in Summerside.”