NOTICE of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING for CANADIANS STUDYING MEDICINE ABROAD The Public, Other IMGs and their Families and Friends Date: Saturday, December 14, 2023 Time: 10:00 a.m. PACIFIC TIME (Vancouver) Place: Zoom: LINK WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. This is an opportunity to get the latest in what is happening with the structure of the […]
NOTICE OF SOCASMA STUDENT INFORMATION MEETING. If there is an interest SOCASMA will be hosting a student information meeting at the end of December. We would like to hear from you as to the dates and times that would work best for you. We would also like to hear about the topics that you are […]
(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 […]
(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 […]
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
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
Working Group SOCASMA <socasma.working@gmail.com> Tue, Apr 9, 1:01 PM to Sylvia.Jones, Caroline.Mulroney, credentials, comsmgr, comms, presidence, Antoine, fhebert, Rosemary Madame Sylvia Jones Ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée de l’Ontario Sylvia.Jones@pc.ola.org Madame Carolyn Mulroney Ministre des Affaires francophones de l’Ontario Caroline.Mulroney@pc.ola.org (See English version below.) Chères mesdames Jones et Mulroney, J’aimerais souligner l’importance de réduire les barrières qui empêchent les médecins francophones […]
Discover the International MD Electives Program at #NOSMUniversity. Work in diverse environments, from remote communities to urban centres. Applications open June 1! nosm.ca/electives #MedEd #GlobalLearning … Découvrez le Programme international de stages au choix en médecine de l’#UniversitéEMNO. Travaillez dans divers environnements, autant dans des communautés éloignées que dans des centres urbains. La période de […]
We wanted to share with you a documentary, BC’s Code Blue, which we were asked to participate in about the barriers that IMGs face accessing residency training. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oITmmQukjYI We are very much interested in more volunteers to help us better connect to CSAs studying overseas, CSAs studying in Canada, and to CSAs training in other […]
The following document outlines 8 key areas that SOCASMA is advocating for in order to improve the current medical residency recruitment and training system in Canada. Le document suivant (voir page 8) présente 8 domaines clés que SOCASMA préconise afin d’améliorer le système actuel de recrutement et de formation des résidents en médecine au Canada. […]
NOTICE of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING for CANADIANS STUDYING MEDICINE ABROAD
The Public, Other IMGs and their Families and Friends
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. PACIFIC TIME (Vancouver)
Place: Zoom: LINK WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.
This is an opportunity to get the latest in what is happening with the structure of the Match.
In addition, to conducting the business meeting, we will update you on matters of concern related to
becoming licensed in Canada including:
Updates in the CaRMS Match process
Updates in the court challenge to the discrimination faced in access to licensing.
Planning an information meeting in late December: Strategizing to Match in Canada or the US
Facilitating return home after training in another country including RCPSC certification exams
The 2024 Directors Report is available to IMGs and their families on request from
socasma@outlook.com.
MEDICAL STUDENTS- PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS AND
FORWARD IT TO YOUR CANADIAN CLASSMATES. ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO
ATTEND THE MEETING.
Please RSVP socasma@outlook.com or message us on Facebook (facebook.com/socasma) the number
that will be attending the meeting, together with any questions or requests that you would like
discussed at the meeting. WE WILL SEND YOU A LINK TO THE MEETING WHEN YOU RSVP.
NOTICE OF SOCASMA STUDENT INFORMATION MEETING. If there is an interest SOCASMA will be hosting a student information meeting at the end of December. We would like to hear from you as to the dates and times that would work best for you. We would also like to hear about the topics that you are interested in discussing. We will provide resource material in advance of the meeting. Please message us or email us at socasma@outlook.com
(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.
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.
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.
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
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
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Ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée de l’Ontario
Madame Carolyn Mulroney
Ministre des Affaires francophones de l’Ontario
(See English version below.)
Chères mesdames Jones et Mulroney,
J’aimerais souligner l’importance de réduire les barrières qui empêchent les médecins francophones ou bilingues formés à l’étranger de venir pratiquer la médecine en Ontario pour mieux desservir la population francophone de l’Ontario.
Je suis membre de la Société des Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger, en plus d’être membre de la communauté francophone de l’Ontario. Je me suis intéressée aux revendications des médecins formés l’étranger parce que ma fille a étudié la médecine à l’étranger et qu’elle pratique maintenant la médecine aux États-Unis. Au cours de mes années d’implication auprès de la Société, j’ai pu constater qu’il y a beaucoup de barrières qui empêchent les Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger de revenir au Canada pour y pratiquer la médecine. Les barrières sont les mêmes, sinon plus nombreuses, pour les médecins qui veulent immigrer et pratiquer au Canada. Pour les immigrants francophones, la situation est multipliée par l’absence quasi totale d’information de base, ainsi que de systèmes et d’outils d’évaluation en français. L’Ontario a éliminé certaines barrières relatives aux médecins formés à l’étranger au cours de la dernière année, mais il y a lieu de faire mieux, surtout en ce qui concerne les candidats francophones.
En tant que membre du Conseil d’administration de la SOCASMA, Rosemary Pawliuk, Dr. Laura Blew et moi-même avons communiqué à plusieurs reprises avec les autorités compétentes (Ministère de la Santé, CPSO, etc.) dans le but de faire valoir la nécessité de réduire les barrières sur un nombre de points touchant l’ensemble des médecins formés à l’étranger. La Société est d’avis que les Canadiens et les résidents permanents formés à l’étranger doivent être traités sur un même pied d’égalité que les Canadiens formés au Canada et ce, après avoir réussi les examens requis qui établissent que le diplômé rencontre les normes de la médecine canadienne, Bref, nous croyons que le système de recrutement des résidents doit être ouvert, équitable, transparent et compétitif pour que les Canadiens bénéficient des meilleurs médecins disponibles. (Voir le document en annexe qui résume la position de la Société. Également disponible en ligne: https://socasma.com/general/
De mon côté, je me suis penché sur les lacunes systémiques qui freinent l’accès à l’obtention d’un permis d’exercice de la médecine en Ontario pour les médecins francophones ou bilingues formés à l’étranger. Ces lacunes ont un impact majeur sur l’accès aux soins de santé des francophones qui ont le droit de recevoir des services dans la langue de leur choix. Une étude effectuée en 2012 a d’ailleurs reconnu les conséquences de ces lacunes, surtout en ce qui concerne la santé des francophones du Nord de l’Ontario :
Selon le rapport Examining the geographic distribution of French speaking physicians in Ontario (2012) par Alain P. Gauthier PhD Patrick E. Timony MA Elizabeth F. Wenghofer PhD “the health of the Francophone population in Ontario has been deemed at risk. The Franco-Ontarian population was found to have a significantly higher prevalence (P = .005) of chronic illnesses (63%) when compared with the Anglophone and allophone populations combined (57.4%).4 This included higher percentages of cardiovascular disease (CVD), pulmonary diseases, arthritis or rheumatism, and asthma.4 Picard and Allaire found that the Francophone population in Ontario had a higher prevalence of obesity (17.7%) when compared with the provincial average (15%) (P<.05), and found that Francophone people in northern Ontario had the highest percentage of CVD (8.1% vs provincial rate of 5.3%) when compared with all other regions and sociolinguistic groups in the province.3 The Francophone population in northern Ontario was also least likely to report very good or excellent health status. Indeed, these lines of evidence converge in a manner that suggests Francophone people in Ontario experience poorer health than other Ontarians. Many of the discussions with regard to the health of French-speaking minority communities in Ontario have been related to access to French-language primary health care services.5-9” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Les francophones de l’Ontario ont le droit de recevoir des services en français selon les termes de la Loi sur les services en français de l’Ontario. C’est une question de langue de service dans l’une des deux langues officielles du Canada, mais c’est aussi une question de santé et de qualité de vie. A ce titre, je propose les mesures redressements suivantes :
Qu’une stratégie soit développée dans le but d’identifier les lacunes au niveau de la prestation des services de médecins en français dans le but de mettre en œuvre une stratégie qui comprendra le recrutement des diplômés du Canada, ainsi que les diplômés de l’étranger (autant les Canadiens que les résidents permanents).
Que le Collège des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Ontario et tous les organismes responsables du recrutement et de l’évaluation des médecins formés à l’étranger disposent d’un service d’accueil, d’information et d’évaluation bilingue, y compris un site web complètement bilingue, ainsi qu’un processus d’évaluation de la capacité à exercer la médecine qui est aussi bilingue.
Qu’un certain nombre de pays francophones (France, Belgique,Tunisie, Algérie, Maroc, etc.) soient reconnus comme juridictions approuvées par le Collège Royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada, ainsi que le Collège des médecins de famille du Canada, au même titre que les juridictions anglophones approuvées (États-Unis, Grande Bretagne, Irlande, Australie).
Que les médecins francophones qui veulent immigrer en Ontario puissent être évalués en français et, si nécessaire, qu’une formation de mise à niveau en anglais soit offerte pour les candidats qui ont besoin de perfectionner leurs connaissances de l’anglais. (La responsabilité d’évaluer les candidats relève de la Touchstone Institute qui n’a présentement pas le mandat et les ressources pour offrir cette évaluation en français.)
En espérant que vous accorderez une attention positive à ces enjeux, je vous prie d’agréer, Mesdames, l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Carole Lafrenière-Noël
Résidente d’Ottawa et de Sturgeon Falls
Membre de la Société des Canadiens qui
étudient la médecine à l’étranger
Tel: (613) 807-0776
Cc.
M. Bryan Hodges, Président,
Collège Royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada
Dr. Michael Green
Le Collège des médecins de famille du Canada
Dr. Ian Preyra
Le Collège des médecins et chirurgiens de l’Ontario
Mme Liane Roy
La Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
M. Antoine Désilet
Société Santé en français
M. Fabien Hébert
L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario
Rosemary Pawliuk
Directrice exécutive
La Société des Canadiens qui étudient la médecine à l’étranger
——————————
Minister. Sylvia Jones
Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Minister. Carolyn Mulroney
Minister of Francophone Affairs of Ontario
Dear Ministers Jones and Mulroney:
I would like to bring to your attention the need to reduce barriers that prevent French-speaking or bilingual doctors trained abroad from practicing medicine in Ontario to better serve the French-speaking population of Ontario.
I am a member of the Franco-Ontarian community and an active member of the Society of Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad (SOCASMA). I took an interest in the plight of foreign trained physicians because my daughter studied medicine abroad and now practices medicine in the United States. During my years of involvement with the Society, I became acquainted with the many barriers that prevent Canadians who study medicine abroad from returning to Canada to practice medicine. The barriers are the same if not greater for doctors who want to immigrate and practice in Canada. For French speaking immigrants wanting to practice medicine in Ontario, the barriers are multiplied by the quasi-absence of basic information, assessment and systemic approach and tools in French. Ontario has eliminated certain barriers relating to foreign-trained doctors over the past year, but there is room to do better, especially when it comes to francophone candidates.
Rosemary Pawliuk, Dr. Laura Blew, and I, Directors of SOCASMA are in regular communications with relevant authorities (Ministry of Health, CPSO, etc.) in an effort to highlight the need to reduce barriers on a number of issues affecting all physicians trained abroad. SOCASMA believes that Canadians and permanent residents trained abroad must be treated on equal footing to Canadians trained in Canada after passing the requisite exams which establish that a medical graduate meets the Canadian standard. In short, we believe that the resident recruitment system needs to be open, fair, transparent and competitive so that Canadians can be cared for by the best doctors available. See the attached document which summarizes SOCASMA’S position. Also available on line:https://socasma.com/
For my part, I looked into the systemic gaps that hinder access to obtaining a license to practice medicine in Ontario for French-speaking or bilingual doctors trained abroad. These gaps have a major impact on access to health care for francophones who have the right to be served in the language of their choice. A study carried out in 2012 recognized the consequences of these shortcomings, especially with regard to the health of francophones in Northern Ontario:
According to the report Examining the geographic distribution of French speaking physicians in Ontario (2012) by Alain P. Gauthier PhD Patrick E. Timony MA Elizabeth F. Wenghofer PhD “the health of the Francophone population in Ontario has been deemed at risk. The Franco-Ontarian population was found to have a significantly higher prevalence (P = .005) of chronic illnesses (63%) when compared with the Anglophone and allophone populations combined (57.4%). This included higher percentages of cardiovascular disease (CVD), pulmonary diseases, arthritis or rheumatism, and asthma. Picard and Allaire found that the Francophone population in Ontario had a higher prevalence of obesity (17.7%) when compared with the provincial average (15%) (P<.05), and found that Francophone people in northern Ontario had the highest percentage of CVD (8.1% vs provincial rate of 5.3%) when compared with all other regions and sociolinguistic groups in the province. The Francophone population in northern Ontario was also least likely to report very good or excellent health status. Indeed, these lines of evidence converge in a manner that suggests Francophone people in Ontario experience poorer health than other Ontarians. Many of the discussions with regard to the health of French-speaking minority communities in Ontario have been related to access to French-language primary health care services.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Francophones in Ontario have the right to receive services in French under the terms of the French Language Services Act of Ontario. It’s a question of language of service in one of Canada’s official languages, but it’s also a question of health and quality of life. As such, I propose the following corrective measures:
To identify gaps in the provision of physician services in French and implement a strategy that will include the recruitment of Canadian Medical Graduates and International Medical Graduates (both Canadians and permanent residents).
For the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and all organizations responsible for the recruitment and assessment of internationally trained physicians to provide bilingual information (including reception, guidance and website) and practice ready assessment services.
That French-speaking countries (France, Belgium, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, etc.) be recognized as jurisdictions approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as the College of Family Physicians of Canada, in addition l to the English-speaking jurisdictions that are recognized as approved jurisdictions (United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia).
For French-speaking doctors who want to immigrate to Ontario to be able to be evaluated in French, and, if necessary, for English language support to be made available for candidates who need to improve their English. (The responsibility for evaluating candidates lies with the Touchstone Institute which does not currently have the mandate and resources to offer this evaluation in French.)
I hope that you will give positive attention to this issue. Sincerely,
Carole Lafrenière-Noël
Resident of Ottawa and Sturgeon Falls
Member of SOCASMA
Tel: (613) 807-0776
CC.
Mr. Bryan Hodges, President,
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Dr. Michael Green
The College of Family Physicians of Canada
Dr. Ian Preyra
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Ms. Liane Roy
The Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities of Canada
Mr. Antoine Désilet
Société Santé en français
Mr. Fabien Hébert
The Assembly of the Francophonie of Ontario
Rosemary Pawliuk
Executive Director
SOCASMA
We wanted to share with you a documentary, BC’s Code Blue, which we were asked to participate in about the barriers that IMGs face accessing residency training.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
We are very much interested in more volunteers to help us better connect to CSAs studying overseas, CSAs studying in Canada, and to CSAs training in other countries. Please let us know if you can help.
You can email us at socasma@outlook.com
The following document outlines 8 key areas that SOCASMA is advocating for in order to improve the current medical residency recruitment and training system in Canada.
Le document suivant (voir page 8) présente 8 domaines clés que SOCASMA préconise afin d’améliorer le système actuel de recrutement et de formation des résidents en médecine au Canada.
