Dr. Tyler Murray is enjoying working in Cariboo country, providing visiting internal medical clinics.
Murray is an internist, a doctor who focuses on the care of adults and often deals with chronic conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and pulmonary disease.
"We're kind of the everything medical specialist," he said.
While he and his wife live in Vancouver, choosing big city life over the rural one, they both work regularly in the Cariboo.
"It's much more interesting to work out here than in the city," he said. Later this summer Murray will be bringing a trainee with him for his shift.
Dr. Murray works both at Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Three Corners Health Services Society (TCHSS), providing opportunities for visits at the clinic in Williams Lake as well as visits to community.
He normally works for five to seven days at a time, and he said he feels really well-supported by both the hospital staff and the TCHSS staff.
For two years he has worked with TCHSS, coming up to the interior every six weeks or so, spending time following up with clients and visiting communities in addition to hospital-based work.
"I feel like we've been able to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits," Murray said, knowing how in an area with so few people with a family physician, primary care can end up taking place in the emergency room.
Murray said travelling to communities like Xatsull, Canim Lake, Esk'et, Stswecem'c Xget'tem First Nation, and Williams Lake First Nation, helps support those who struggle with travel, but it can also help people feel more comfortable.
"It's really nice to see people at home," he said, and noted during his week visits, he's usually also busy socially.
"It's a nice community of physicians up here," he said.
