Another wave of emergency room closures is washing across small-town Nova Scotia this week. Once again there just aren't enough doctors to keep them open.

Perhaps it’s a sign of a truce between the provincial government and its doctors.

On Thursday, the province rolled out details of a pilot project that has the potential to more fairly compensate physicians, improve the efficiency of patient care and bring our health-care system into the 21st century, all at once.

Government is investing more than $4 million to support family doctors to communicate with patients by telephone and through e-health services. 

“This new technology incentive will encourage more doctors to use these tools, and give patients more access and control over their own care,” said Health and Wellness Minister Randy Delorey.

Family doctors who take part in the technology incentive pilot program can receive up to $12,000 a year to communicate with their patients by telephone or through MyHealthNS.