Author Archives: Carole L.

1. EXCELLENT NEWS! B.C. BRIGING DOWN BARRIERS FOR DOCTORS IN THE UNITED STATES

   March 12, 2025 4:42 pm Leave a Comment

   British Columbia is bringing down barriers for doctors in the United States.  This is an opportunity for Canadians practicing medicine in the United States to come back home and practice medicine in British Columbia.  See following link:

   https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194

2. L’ACTION EN JUSTICE DE SOCASMA SERA ENTENDUE PAR LA COUR SUPRÊME DE LA COLOMBIE BRITANNIQUE LE 2 MARS 2026

   March 10, 2025 5:01 pm Leave a Comment

   Il y a plusieurs années passées, deux Canadiens étudiant en médecine à l’étranger (CSA) et la Société des Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger (SOCASMA) ont intenté une action en justice pour mettre fin à la discrimination contre les diplômés internationaux en médecine (DIM). Nous avons enfin une date d’audience. Notre requête doit être entendue pendant deux semaines, devant la Cour suprême de la Colombie-Britannique, le 2 mars 2026. Comme la formation en résidence et l’obtention d’un permis d’exercice de la médecine relèvent de la compétence provinciale, la requête en justice a été déposée en Colombie-Britannique.
   Les obstacles discriminatoires à l’obtention d’un permis d’exercice de la médecine pour les DIM comprennent :
   a) Limiter les DIM aux disciplines médicales mal desservies. Les DIM sont limités à 4 des 29
   disciplines disponibles pour les diplômés canadiens en médecine (DCM) et principalement à la médecine familiale (52 postes sur 58) ;
   b) Refuser aux DIM la possibilité de se sous-spécialiser ;
   c) Refuser aux DIM l’accès à 85 % des postes de médecins résidents en Colombie-Britannique, même s’ils ont prouvé qu’ils possèdent les connaissances médicales et la capacité de décision attendues d’un diplômé d’une faculté de médecine canadienne et qu’ils sont qualifiés pour travailler comme médecins résidents ;
   d) Obliger les DIM à signer un contrat pour travailler là où le ministère les dirige (dans les régions rurales et mal desservies de la province) après avoir obtenu leur permis d’exercice. Ces contrats comportent des pénalités en cas de non-conformité qui peuvent aller d’environ un demi-million de dollars en médecine familiale à un million de dollars en psychiatrie.
   e) Avoir des normes différentes selon lesquelles les DIM doivent réussir l’examen MCCQE1 du Conseil médical du Canada (conçu pour déterminer si une personne possède les connaissances médicales et la capacité de décision attendues d’un diplômé d’une faculté de médecine canadienne) pour être qualifiés pour concourir pour un poste de résident. En réalité, un DIM doit exceller à cet examen pour être considéré pour une entrevue. Inversement, les DCM passent cet examen après le jumelage de recrutement de résidents en médecine du CaRMS. S’ils échouent au MCCQE1 (6 à 7 % ont échoué au cours des deux dernières années), ils seront non seulement autorisés à obtenir leur diplôme, mais ils pourront également exercer la médecine en tant que médecins résidents malgré le fait qu’ils aient échoué à l’examen.

   La poursuite demande des ordonnances qui donneraient accès à tous les postes de formation en résidence disponibles à tous les citoyens canadiens et aux résidents permanents dans les mêmes conditions, la sélection étant basée sur le mérite individuel et non sur le lieu d’obtention du diplôme.

3. SOCASMA COURT CASE TO BE HEARD IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ON MARCH 2, 2026

   4:49 pm Leave a Comment

   Several years ago, two Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad (CSAs) and the Society for Canadians Studying Studying Medicine Abroad (SOCASMA)filed a lawsuit to stop the discrimination against International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Finally, we have a hearing date. Our case is set to be heard for two weeks in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on March 2, 2026. As residency training and medical licensing falls under provincial jurisdiction, the case has been filed in British Columbia.
   The discriminatory barriers to medical licensing for IMGs include:
   a) Limiting IMGs to underserviced medical disciplines. IMGs are limited to 4 out of the 29
   disciplines available to Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs) and primarily family medicine (52 out of 58 positions);
   b) Denying IMGs the opportunity to sub-specialize;
   c) Refusing IMGs access to 85% of resident physician jobs in British Columbia despite proving they have the medical knowledge and decision-making ability expected of a Canadian medical school graduate and are qualified to work as resident physicians;
   d) Forcing IMGs to sign a contract to work where the Ministry directs them (in rural and underserviced parts of the province) upon full licensure. These contracts carry non-compliance penalties that can range from approximately half a million dollars in family medicine to $1 million dollars in psychiatry.
   e) Having different standards whereby IMGs must pass the Medical Council of Canada’s MCCQE1 exam (designed to determine whether one has the medical knowledge and decision-making ability expected of a graduate of a Canadian medical school) to be qualified to compete for a residency position. Realistically an IMG must excel in this exam to be considered for an interview. Conversely, CMGs take this examination after the CaRMS medical residency recruitment Match. If they fail the MCCQE1 (6-7% failed in the last two years), they will not only be allowed to graduate, but they will also be able to practice medicine as resident physicians despite the fact that they have failed the exam.

   The lawsuit requests orders which would provide access to all residency training positions
   available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents on the same conditions, with
   selection to be based on individual merit not on the place of graduation.

4. INPUT SOUGHT FOR NEW CPSBC BYLAW THAT PROPOSES TO PUT AMERICAN BOARD CERTIFICATION ON PAR WITH RCPSC CERTIFICATION

   March 8, 2025 6:46 pm Leave a Comment

   SOCASMA has received an e-mail (see in bold, in e-mail below) from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia indicating that it is seeking input into new proposed bylaws to put American Board certification on par with Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) certification. As per this new bylaw, you can be American Board certified OR RCPSC certified. This also applies to the Full Family Class—Bylaw 2-11 and for all Specialties.  Applicants would’t need to have the MCCQE1.

   In accordance with section 19(6.2)(a)(ii) of the HPA, notice of the proposed bylaw amendments will be posted for a 60-day notification period, providing registrants and other interested parties the opportunity to review and comment.

   Comments can be submitted to the following by May 7, 2025.

   College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

   Registrar and CEO

   Fax: 604-733-3503

   Email to respond to USA certified: bylaw29@cpsbc.ca

   See proposed by-law in bold, in e-mail below:

   —————————————————————-

   From: College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC <donotreply@cpsbc.ca>

   Date: Fri, Mar 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM

   Subject: Notification of Bylaw Amendments: Registration

   Notification of Bylaw Amendments: Registration

   On February 20, 2025, the College Board approved proposed amendments to the Bylaws under the Health Professions Act, RSBC 1996, c. 183 (HPA) specifically, the below sections related to registration.

   Re-entry to or change in focus or scope of practice – section 2-9

   The current bylaws provide processes for:

   A registrant who is not current for clinical practice within the scope of their certified training and recent experience to regain currency or change the focus or scope of their clinical practice and,

   An applicant who has previously practised medicine in British Columbia or another jurisdiction and who has been absent from practice for a period of time to regain currency or change the focus or scope of their clinical practice.

   Currently, in addition to meeting other requirements, such registrants or applicants are required to undergo a review and assessment of their skill, knowledge and competency and provide reports upon completion of such review and assessment. The College is proposing amendments to the bylaws to align with current processes which do not include a review of skill, knowledge and competency. Under the proposed amendments, a registrant or applicant would be required to submit a proposed retraining plan, satisfactory to the College in order to regain currency in practice. Where a registrant or applicant wishes to change their scope of practice to an area in which they have not previously practiced, the registrant or applicant would continue to be required to meet the postgraduate training requirements in the area in which they wish to practice as well as submit a retraining plan and complete such retraining, satisfactory to the College.

   Board Resolution 25-91

   Redline

   Clean

   Associate Physicians – sections 2-25, 2-26, 2-50 and new section 2-25

   The current bylaws provide a pathway for international medical graduates, with medical training acceptable to the College and who are not eligible for a full or provisional license in BC, to provide services as an associate physician while under the direction and supervision of an attending physician. Currently, there are three associate physician classes: associate physician – acute care, associate physician – community primary care, and associate physician – surgical assistant.

   Under the proposed amendments, the three classes are combined into one class in order to streamline the bylaws and address the issues noted below. The proposed amendments will continue to require associate physicians to practise under the direction and supervision of an attending physician and have sponsorship, in addition to the following proposed changes:

   Establishing a consistent one-year accredited training requirement in connection with the role of the associate physician,

   An exemption from the requirement to meet the currency requirements under the bylaws subject to completing a period of retraining with their sponsorship, and

   The requirement to comply with the continuing professional development requirements of the Associate Physician Program.

   Board Resolution 25-92

   Redline

   Clean

   Educational – postgraduate (fellow) – section 2- 31

   The current bylaws provide that a physician may be granted registration in the educational – postgraduate (fellow) class for the purposes of pursuing further clinical or research training in their specialty. Currently, registration in this class is for a limited duration not to exceed three years. To account for postgraduate training programs which are four years in duration, the proposed amendments provide for a time period of four years to enable physicians to fulfill their postgraduate training program.

   Board Resolution 25-93

   Redline

   Clean

   USA Certified – sections 2-11, 2-12, 2-15, 2-27, 1-7, Schedule A

   Under the current bylaws, US-trained specialists who are not eligible for full or provisional licensure in BC are eligible for licensure under the USA certified class without having to undergo further assessment or additional training subject to meeting the following requirements:

   Completed postgraduate training in a training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and

   Certification with the American Board of Medical Specialties in pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine, or psychiatry.

   In order to both reduce barriers for US-trained physicians wishing to practise in BC and address the physician shortage in BC, the proposed bylaw amendment would allow US-trained family or specialist physicians to be eligible for the full – family class or full – specialty class of registration if, in addition to completing the postgraduate training referenced above, they hold certification with the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, or the American Board of Medical Specialties. Granting full licensure to US-trained and board-certified physicians without the need for further assessment, examination or training, has already been adopted by other jurisdictions including Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

   Board Resolution 25-94

   Redline

   Clean

   Changes to the LMCC requirement – sections 2-11 to 2-12, 2-15 to 2-18, 2-33, 2-39 and new section 2-25

   The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) is granted by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) and is a registration requirement of the College. The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) was previously conducted in two parts. The MCCQE Part I assesses the critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making ability of a candidate at a level expected of a medical student who is completing their medical degree in Canada and entering postgraduate education in Canada. The MCCQE Part II was an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. In June 2021, the MCC ceased administering the MCCQE Part II and amended its requirement for obtaining the LMCC. Currently, a candidate must pass the MCCQE Part I and meet the eligibility requirements to obtain the LMCC.

   The current bylaws require an applicant for independent practice in the full and provisional classes to have obtained the LMCC (or alternatively, completed acceptable licensing examinations in the USA) prior to being granted registration and licensure. The bylaws also require an applicant to the assessment, associate physician, and clinical observership classes to obtain either the LMCC or MCCQE Part I.

   The proposed bylaw amendments provide that international medical graduates (IMGs) applying for registration and licensure in the full and provisional classes will not be required to hold the LMCC. As the MCCQE Part I assesses the medical knowledge and clinical decision-making abilities expected of a medical student completing their medical degree, it is not an appropriate requirement of IMG physicians who are generally mid-career and have completed their medical degrees and residency some time ago.

   Further, the proposed amendments will provide that physicians applying for registration and licensure in the assessment, associate physician, and clinical observership classes will not be required to hold the LMCC. The assessment class is a pathway to licensure for IMGs who have already completed their residency and practised independently abroad. The assessment class permits these physicians, if selected by the Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia program, to participate in a 12-week clinical field assessment. During this assessment, physicians practice under the supervision of trained physician assessors to demonstrate their clinical skills and readiness for independent medical practice. The associate physician class is a restricted form of license for physicians who have acceptable medical training but, are not eligible for registration in the provisional or full classes. Associate physicians are required to practise under supervision in accredited team-based care. The clinical observership class provides an educational experience for applicants to familiarize themselves with the clinical and ethical requirements of the Canadian medical system. Clinical observers are not authorized to practice independently and must be supervised by a registrant of one of the full classes of registration who is responsible for all clinical contact the clinical observer may have with patients.

   The elimination of the LMCC requirement will remove barriers for internationally trained physicians wishing to practise in BC as well as help address the physician shortage in BC. Other jurisdictions have adopted a similar approach in order to address these same issues. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick does not require a physician to have obtained the LMCC for a regular licence while the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba eliminated the MCCQE Part I requirement for international medical graduates prior to applying for provisional registration.

   Canadian medical graduates will still be required to obtain the LMCC prior to registration and licensure in the full or provisional classes.

   Board Resolutions 25-95 and 25-169

   Redline

   Clean

   Comments

   In accordance with section 19(6.2)(a)(ii) of the HPA, notice of the proposed bylaw amendments will be posted for a 60-day notification period, providing registrants and other interested parties the opportunity to review and comment.

   Comments can be submitted to the following by May 7, 2025.

   College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

   Registrar and CEO

   Fax: 604-733-3503

   Email to respond to re-entry to or change in focus or scope of practice: bylaw26@cpsbc.ca

   Email to respond to associate physician: bylaw27@cpsbc.ca

   Email to respond to educational – postgraduate (fellow): bylaw28@cpsbc.ca

   Email to respond to USA certified: bylaw29@cpsbc.ca

   Email to respond to LMCC requirement: bylaw30@cpsbc.ca

   Ministry of Health

   Director, Regulatory Initiatives Professional Regulation and Oversight Branch

   Email: proregadmin@gov.bc.ca

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5. NEWS! New Pathway to Supervised Practice for Internationally Trained Specialists – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

   February 14, 2025 7:44 pm Comments Off on NEWS! New Pathway to Supervised Practice for Internationally Trained Specialists – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

   IMPORTANT NEWS!

   New Pathway to Supervised Practice for Internationally Trained Specialists – College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

   NOUVELLE IMPORTANTE!

   Nouveau cheminement pour les spécialistes formés à l’étranger – Collège des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Ontario

   Here is the link:

   https://dialogue.cpso.on.ca/articles/new-pathway-to-supervised-practice-for-internationally-trained-specialists-?

6. Resources for applying into residency in Canada and in the U.S.

   January 3, 2025 4:26 pm Comments Off on Resources for applying into residency in Canada and in the U.S.

   Here are useful resources for medical students or International Medical Graduates wishing to apply for residency in Canada or in the United States:

   Powerpoint Information for Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad 2024:

   Powerpoint Information for CSAs 2024 (December)

   CARMS Application:

   carms application

   Interviewing information and stragegy:

   Interviewing Information and StrategyPopular Interview Questions

   Sites of interest to CSA

   Sites that may interest CSAs

   Powerpoint Presentation on the U.S. Match process:

   Yashas PowerPoint

7. CARMS match day before U.S. match day! / Jumelage CARMS avant la journée de jumelage aux États-Unis

   November 13, 2024 6:37 pm Comments Off on CARMS match day before U.S. match day! / Jumelage CARMS avant la journée de jumelage aux États-Unis

   (Le français suit.)

   IMPORTANT NEWS! The order of the Match has been changed back so that the CaRMS Match will go back to being before the American Match. By having the CARMS match date (March 4, 2025) before the U.S. match date (March 17, 2025), Canadians who study medicine abroad can prioritize doing a residency in Canada, but also apply to the U.S. as a backup plan, especially as the match rate for IMGs is much higher in the U.S. compared to Canada.

   CARMS calendar: https://www.carms.ca/…/applicant/r-1-match-timeline/

   NRMP calendar: https://www.nrmp.org/match…/main-residency-applicants/

   ——————————-

   NOUVELLE IMPORTANTE! L’ordre du jumelage a été modifié de façon à ce que le jumelage CaRMS se déroule à nouveau avant le jumelage américain. En faisant en sorte que la date du jumelage CARMS (4 mars 2025) précède la date du jumelage américain (17 mars 2025), les Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger peuvent donner la priorité à une résidence au Canada, mais aussi présenter une demande aux États-Unis comme plan de secours, d’autant plus que le taux de jumelage des DIM est beaucoup plus élevé aux États-Unis qu’au Canada.

   Calendrier CARMS: https://www.carms.ca/…/cand…/calendrier-du-jumelage-r-1/

   Calendrier NRMP: https://www.nrmp.org/match…/main-residency-applicants/

8. COMING TO CANADA TO PRACTICE MEDICINE? VENIR AU CANADA POUR PRATIQUER LA MÉDECINE?

   November 9, 2024 12:46 pm Comments Off on COMING TO CANADA TO PRACTICE MEDICINE? VENIR AU CANADA POUR PRATIQUER LA MÉDECINE?

   (Le français suit.)

   CONSIDERING COMING TO CANADA TO PRACTICE MEDICINE?  

   HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AS AN IMG/ITP:

   In 2023 the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) announced that it was removing barriers for  internationally trained family physicians trained in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.  It is also removing supervision and assessment requirements for US Board certified specialists allowing them to start practice immediately.  : https://www.cpso.on.ca/News/News-Articles/CPSO-Removes-Barriers-for-Internationally-Educated

    

   As a follow up to the above mentioned announcement, SOCASMA met with the CPSO and obtained the following clarifications: 

   https://socasma.com/uncategorized/ontario-removes-barriers-for-internationally-educated-physicians/

    

   Here’s additional information about alternative pathways to registration for physicians trained in the United States:  :  https://www.cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Registration-Policies/Alternative-Pathways-to-Registration?

    

   Some other provinces are also working towards bringing down barriers.  For instance  Nova Scotia has a similar approach to Ontario.  British Columbia allows a few specialties who are US Board certified to be licensed to practice.  

    

   Physicians who wish to return to Canada to practice medicine should contact the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada, as well as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of their province of choice.

    

   https://www.cfpc.ca/en/education-professional-development/examinations-and-certification/alternative-pathways-to-certification-in-family-me/recognized-training-in-certification-outside-canad?

    

   To find positions in Ontario, you can either directly contact local clinics or hospitals of your choice, and/or consult the Health Force Ontario web site:  https://hfojobs.healthforceontario.ca/en/map/

    

   The pathway to licensure includes credential verification which is done  through the Medical Council of Canada by most provinces.  The process  can take up to one year, if not more.  However, those seeking licensure in Ontario should contact  the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario which has in place its own verification process which can avoid the substantial delay caused by the Medical Council of Canada. 

   ---

   VOUS ENVISAGEZ DE VENIR AU CANADA POUR EXERCER LA MÉDECINE?

   VOICI CE QUE VOUS DEVEZ SAVOIR EN TANT QUE DIM:

   En 2023, l’Ordre des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Ontario (OMCO) a annoncé qu’il supprimait les obstacles pour les médecins de famille formés à l’étranger aux États-Unis, au Royaume-Uni, en Irlande et en Australie. Il supprime également les exigences de supervision et d’évaluation pour les spécialistes certifiés par le conseil américain, leur permettant ainsi de commencer à exercer immédiatement : https://www.cpso.on.ca/News/News-Articles/CPSO-Removes-Barriers-for-Internationally-Educated

   À la suite de l’annonce sus mentionnée, la Société des Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger a rencontré l’OMCO et a obtenu les éclaircissements suivants :

   https://socasma.com/uncategorized/elimination-dobstacles-en-ontario/

   Voici des informations supplémentaires sur les voies alternatives d’inscription pour les médecins formés aux États-Unis : https://www.cpso.on.ca/fr/Medecins/Inscription/Politiques-dinscription/Voies-alternatives-pour-linscription?

   Nous croyons comprendre que la Nouvelle-Écosse a décidé de suivre la même approche. On ne sait pas si d’autres provinces sont prêtes à faire de même.

   Les médecins qui souhaitent exercer la médecine au Canada doivent communiquer avec le Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada ou le Collège des médecins de famille du Canada, ainsi qu’avec le Collège des médecins et chirurgiens de la province de leur choix.

   https://www.cfpc.ca/fr/education-professional-development/examinations-and-certification/alternative-pathways-to-certification-in-family-me/recognized-training-in-certification-outside-canad

   Pour trouver des postes en Ontario, vous pouvez soit communiquer directement avec les cliniques ou les hôpitaux locaux de votre choix, soit consulter le site Web d’Emplois Ontario : https://hfojobs.healthforceontario.ca/fr/map/

   Le processus d’obtention du permis d’exercice comprend la vérification des titres de compétences, qui est effectuée par le Conseil médical du Canada dans la plupart des provinces. Le processus peut prendre jusqu’à un an, voire plus. Toutefois, les personnes souhaitant obtenir un permis d’exercice en Ontario doivent contacter l’Ordre des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Ontario, qui a mis en place son propre processus de vérification, ce qui peut éviter le retard important causé par le Conseil médical du Canada.

    

9. SOCASMA APPLAUDS SENATE REPORT / SOCASMA APPLAUDIT LE RAPPORT DU SÉNAT

   November 4, 2024 10:46 pm Comments Off on SOCASMA APPLAUDS SENATE REPORT / SOCASMA APPLAUDIT LE RAPPORT DU SÉNAT

   See report:

   https://www.ratnaomidvar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG-Report-Design-EN.pdf

    

   Voir le rapport:

   https://www.ratnaomidvar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG-Report-Design-FR.pdf

10. Processus de recrutement des médecins formés à l’étranger au Québec

    July 6, 2024 3:14 pm Comments Off on Processus de recrutement des médecins formés à l’étranger au Québec

    Voici un excellent article du Collège des médecins du Québec décrivant les différentes façons que les médecins formés à l’étranger sont recrutés au Québec.  (Article only available in French at this time.)

    https://www.cmq.org/fr/acceder-a-la-profession/international/venir-exercer-quebec