According to a recent article entitled “False Hope for Canadians Who Study Medicine Abroad” from the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research by Barer, Evans and Hedden, – Canadians that choose to study Medicine abroad should not expect any special consideration, and can expect an unpleasant outcome in their efforts to re-enter Canada to practice medicine.
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/186/7/552.extract?cited-by=yes&legid=cmaj;186/7/552
Much of the article’s statistical information and the bleak picture for Canadians Studying Abroad (CSAs) who want to enter Canadian residency programs are accurate. However, the conclusion by the authors presents a very dark and difficult road for these brave and enterprising CSAs to return home to practice medicine. What is reprehensible is the fact that the authors apparently did not research other existing career pathways that can indeed put CSAs on an even playing field with their Canadian trained compatriots.
Although, I would never dissuade a CSA from applying for entry to a Canadian residency program, I would also inform them that they are only one of thousands applying for about 330 seats allocated to foreign medical graduates – with the odds of success approaching that of a Canadian government sanctioned lottery.
More importantly, I would also advise them that if they were to continue their post-graduate medical education and training in specified foreign jurisdictions, they can attain Canadian medical training equivalancy and re-enter Canada on an equal footing with their Canadian trained colleagues.
Specifically, CSAs who choose to complete their Family Medicine/General Practice training and obtain certification in the USA, the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, will become eligible for CCFP certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, possibly without sitting the CCFP examinations. Further, depending in which Canadian province they choose to practice, they may also be exempt from the Medical Council of Canada examinations.
CSAs who choose to complete their Specialty training and obtain certification in one of several jurisdictions across the globe that are recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, can become eligible to sit the corresponding Canadian Royal College examinations, and obtain certification before, or after their return to Canada. In the case of CSA trained Specialists I do agree with the authors that, regardless of the Canadian province in which they wish to practice, they must complete the LMCC Licentiate from the Medical Council of Canada.
Indeed, there are also other alternate pathways via specific provincially managed medical assessment programs. These programs are typically targeted toward specific medical disciplines in high-need communities that can change over the course of time. Therefore, a careful evaluation of the program and each CSA’s medical credentials must be completed before making a commitment to enter the pathway.
It is unfortunate that the authors chose to only present the bleak side of this issue, rather than research more deeply to uncover their alternative global medical education options for CSAs to guide them back to Canada – with their heads held high with pride!
In summary, every profession has specialists, in this case I highly recommend that Canadians studying medicine abroad consult with a Canadian physician recruitment specialist now, to get the right professional advice to plan their return home – on their own terms.
Phil A. Jost MBA is Vice President and Regional Manager, CanAm Physician Recruiting Inc., with more than 25 years experience in the public and private Canadian healthcare sector.
