A SOCASMA member who was not able to attend the last NACOSCE exam because of COVID related barriers or obstructions is urging fellow CSAs and IMGs to write to the Medical Council of Canada, CaRMS, universities and the provincial ministries of Health. And don’t forget to Tweet. Your story is far better than a letter […]
In the Spring of 2020, the Canadian Medical Association released its Policy on Equity and Diversity, a policy which aligns with the fundamental principles of what it means to be Canadian: “Equity in the medical profession is achieved when every person has the opportunity to realize their full potential to create and sustain a career […]
The College of Physicians ans Surgeons of Ontario has launched its yearly consultation regarding Professional Responsibilities in Medical Education for which the deadline is Sepember 30, 2020. See http://policyconsult.cpso.on.ca/?page_id=12714 Click on following link for SOCASMA’s submission in response to this consultation : Submission for CPSO 20.10.01
We are encouraging our members to consider applying to the board of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. There are currently no representation of Canadians who have studied medicine abroad on the Boards that make the decisions about CSAs and IMGs. Thus getting ourselves to the table is important. Here is the […]
Founded in 1943, AFMC represents the 17 Canadian Faculties of Medicine. Visit its web site: https://afmc.ca/ You may also want to register for AMMC’s newsletter : https://afmc.ca/en/news-publications/newsletters AFMC CANADIAN RESIDENCY VIRTUAL PROMOTION GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for all stakeholders involved in the 2021 R1 match. The Association of Faculties […]
Click to the link below for more information : https://www.healthmatchbc.org/Documents/Brochures/ComeHomeToBeautifulBC.aspx
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has recently published the CMA Policy on Equity and Diversity in Medicine. The awareness of discrimination in the medical profession and the development of this CMA policy brings tremendous hope to the international medical graduate community that there will be a change. In the words of the CMA: “When we […]
(ENGLISH FOLLOWS.) Socasma a récemment reçu une correspondance du Dr. Lucie Opartrny, sous-ministre adjoint du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, nous indiquant que les Canadiens hors Québec qui sont diplômés des programmes internationaux de médecine pourront dorénavant présenter leur demande d’admission en résidence au Québec. Le site web de CARMS […]
Click on the link below to access key web sites for job search in the health field for unmatched physicians. Should you have other web sites to recommend, please send us an e-mail at: socasma.working@gmail.com Click here to access document: JOBS
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE APPLIED TO QUEBEC FOR A JOB TO FIGHT COVID 19 / POUR CEUX QUI ONT POSTULÉ POUR UN EMPLOI AU QUÉBEC POUR FAIRE FACE À LA COVID 19 (le français suit) Ms. Lucie Opatrny, Assistant Depuy Minister, Quebec’s Ministry of Health has written to us with some recommendations in […]
A SOCASMA member who was not able to attend the last NACOSCE exam because of COVID related barriers or obstructions is urging fellow CSAs and IMGs to write to the Medical Council of Canada, CaRMS, universities and the provincial ministries of Health. And don’t forget to Tweet.
Click here to access the above-mentioned letter: NACOSCE No Show Covid
In the Spring of 2020, the Canadian Medical Association released its Policy on Equity and Diversity, a policy which aligns with the fundamental principles of what it means to be Canadian:
“Equity in the medical profession is achieved when every person has the opportunity to realize their full potential to create and sustain a career without being unfairly impeded by discrimination or any other characteristic-related bias or barrier. To achieve this, physicians must 1) recognize that structural inequities that privilege some at the expense of others exist in training and practice environments and 2) commit to reducing these by putting in place measures that make recruitment, retention, and advancement opportunities more accessible, desirable, and achievable.”
Click to access the :
CMA Equity and Diversity Policy
Unfortunately the CMA is unprepared to do more than talk about equality. The problem is that the majority of CMA members graduated from Canadian medical schools and believe that they are entitled to be given entry level jobs in the profession even if there are Canadians who graduated from international medical schools who are more qualified. To protect access to licensing for graduates of Canadian and American medical schools, Canadians who are graduates of international medical schools are restricted to 10% of the resident physician jobs in Canada. The other 90% of resident physician jobs are protected for Canadian and American medical schools to ensure that none are displaced by more competent Canadians who are international graduates. Without experience working as a resident physician one cannot become licensed.
Click on the following links to access SOCASMA’s dialogue with the CMA.
SOCASMA’S letter to the CMA dated June 16, 2020 (in Word and PDF format)
Correspondence to CMA 20.06.16
Response from CMA:: CMA LF 20.09.28.
SOCASMA’S reply to CMA’s response: CMA LT 20.09.28
CMA’s reply 20.09.30: Follow-up to our conversation of July 3 Equity and Diversity
Please also read Malcolm McFarlane’s blog in the CMAJ. We encourage you to join the discussion by commenting to Malcolm’s blog.
CMA Policy on equity and diversity in medicine encouraging for International Medical Graduates
The College of Physicians ans Surgeons of Ontario has launched its yearly consultation regarding Professional Responsibilities in Medical Education for which the deadline is Sepember 30, 2020. See http://policyconsult.cpso.on.ca/?page_id=12714
Click on following link for SOCASMA’s submission in response to this consultation :
We are encouraging our members to consider applying to the board of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. There are currently no representation of Canadians who have studied medicine abroad on the Boards that make the decisions about CSAs and IMGs. Thus getting ourselves to the table is important.
Here is the link to the invitation for nominations or applications. http://www.royalcollege.ca/rcsite/about/governance/royal-college-council/2021-council-elections-e
The deadline for application is September 30, 2020.
See following links for a description of the position and the skills that will be looked at most favourably.
Council Member Position Description:
council-member-position-description-e (002)
Royal College Council Skills Matrix:
rc-council-skills-matrix-e-1
Founded in 1943, AFMC represents the 17 Canadian Faculties of Medicine. Visit its web site: https://afmc.ca/
You may also want to register for AMMC’s newsletter : https://afmc.ca/en/news-publications/newsletters
AFMC CANADIAN RESIDENCY VIRTUAL PROMOTION GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for all stakeholders involved in the 2021 R1 match.
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada has developed the Canadian Residency Virtual Promotion Guide that outlines general guidelines that pertain to virtual program promotion and applicant engagement for the 2021 R1 match cycle. The Guide was created by the Virtual Interview and Program Promotion Subcommittee of the AFMC Resident Matching Committee.
Click on the link below to access the Guide: https://afmc.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/2020-Canadian-Residency-Virtual-Promotion-Guide_en.pdf
Click to the link below for more information : https://www.healthmatchbc.org/Documents/Brochures/ComeHomeToBeautifulBC.aspx
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has recently published the CMA Policy on Equity and Diversity in Medicine. The awareness of discrimination in the medical profession and the development of this CMA policy brings tremendous hope to the international medical graduate community that there will be a change. In the words of the CMA: “When we address equity and diversity, we are opening the conversation to include the voices and knowledge of those who have historically been under-represented and/or marginalized.
Equity in the medical profession is achieved when every person has the opportunity to realize their full potential to create and sustain a career without being unfairly impeded by discrimination or any other characteristic-related bias or barrier.”
SOCASMA believes that the conversation the CMA invites should begin with point of entry jobs in the medical profession, i.e., access to resident physician positions, where international medical graduates have been historically, and continue to be under-represented and/or marginalized.
Clink on the following link to access the letter that Rosemary Pawliuk, Executive Director of Socasma, has sent to the CMA on June 16, 2020. Letter to CMA 20.06.16
(ENGLISH FOLLOWS.)
Socasma a récemment reçu une correspondance du Dr. Lucie Opartrny, sous-ministre adjoint du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, nous indiquant que les Canadiens hors Québec qui sont diplômés des programmes internationaux de médecine pourront dorénavant présenter leur demande d’admission en résidence au Québec. Le site web de CARMS doit encore être mis à jour, mais nous avons pensé vous informer au cas où vous seriez intéressés de postuler pour une résidence au Québec. Il est important de savoir qu’en plus des exigences habituelles (examens du Conseil médical du Canada), les candidats doivent rencontrer les exigences linguistiques de Québec au niveau de leur connaissance du français. Ils doivent aussi obtenir une attestation d’équivalence de leur diplôme du Conseil des médecins du Québec, processus qui peut engendrer certains délais. Il est donc important de commencer tôt ce processus de reconnaissance de votre diplôme. A chaque année, une vingtaine de postes en résidence restent non comblés au Québec, plusieurs se trouvant dans des régions à forte concentration francophone.
Pour de plus amples renseignements au sujet du processus de jumelage CARMS au Québec: https://www.carms.ca/fr/jumelage/le-jumelage-principal-r-1/criteres-dadmissibilite/quebec/
MISE À JOUR EN DATE DU 30 NOVEMBRE 2020
LES CANADIENS QUI ONT ÉTUDIÉ LA MÉDECINE À L’ÉTRANGER SONT ADMISSIBLES AUX POSTES EN RÉSIDENCE AU QUÉBEC CONTRAIREMENT À CE QUI EST INDIQUÉ SUR LES SITES WEB DU CONSEIL MÉDICAL DU CANADA ET DU CARMS. Ces candidats doivent être bilingues. Les candidats doivent appliquent directement aux Facultés de médecine en question. Un des gros problèmes au Québec c’est que le Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire exige que le diplôme des candidats soit attesté par Québec. Ce processus peut prendre jusqu’à 6 mois. SOCASMA a communiqué avec le Bureau de coopération interuniveersitaire demandant que cette exigence soit abolie, ou que tout au moins, une norme de service d’un mois soit établie. Nous attendons toujours une réponse en date du 28 janvier 2021. Pour plus d’information au sujet du Québec, voir la lettre que nous avons reçue du MSSSQ.
LETTRE DU MINISTÈRE DE LA SANTÉ ET DES SERVICES SOCIAUX EDU QUÉBEC
Voici une correspondance que Socasma vient de recevoir en réponse à ses demandes au MSSSQ.
DHCEU = Diplômés hors Canada et États-Unis
Bonjour Madame Lafrenière
Tout d’abord, veuillez svp, accepter nos plus sincères excuses pour le délai de réponse.
Comme vous le savez bien, les Canadiens (bilingues ou francophones) qui ont étudié la médecine à l’étranger (en dehors du Canada ou des États-Unis d’Amérique) sont considérés comme les autres DHCEU.
À titre de rappel, pour les médecins DHCEU, il est possible de faire une demande d’un permis régulier par l’obtention d’un poste de résidence dans une des facultés de médecine du Québec. Il est également possible de s’inscrire à l’externat en médecine, mais le nombre d’admissions est restreint, en fonction de la capacité d’accueil des facultés de médecine.
Les candidats DHCEU n’ayant pas obtenu le permis restrictif ont l’opportunité d’obtenir un permis régulier. Pour ce faire, ils doivent avoir obtenu la reconnaissance de l’équivalence du diplôme de docteur en médecine du Québec, du Canada ou des États-Unis. Ces candidats seront inclus dans le contingent régulier d’admission aux études médicales postdoctorales (programmes de résidence en médecine familiale ou en spécialité).
Toutefois, un grand nombre de ces candidats ne sont toutefois pas admis en résidence, en dépit de la reconnaissance de l’équivalence de leur diplôme de docteur en médecine par le collège des médecins du Québec. Nous vous invitons à consulter le lien suivant pour connaître les conditions et les étapes nécessaires :
http://www.cmq.org/page/fr/formation-postdoctorale.aspx
Finalement, il est possible de faire une demande de soutien au centre d’évaluation des diplômes internationaux en santé (CÉDIS). En cas de refus à un poste de résidence dans un programme agréé par l’une des quatre facultés de médecine du Québec, nous invitons les candidats à prendre contact avec le CÉDIS qui a comme mandat d’accompagner les médecins vers une démarche d’obtention d’un permis régulier d’exercice, vous trouverez toutes les informations nécessaires dans le lien suivant :
http://www.cedis.ca/
Maintenant pour répondre à vos questions :
Concernant les étudiants canadiens bilingues qui ont étudié la médecine à l’étranger et qui voudraient faire une demande pour un poste en résidence au Québec, ces candidats sont admissibles, mais ils doivent suivre le même processus et répondent aux mêmes exigences que les autres DHCEU.
Concernant le contingent particulier, si un candidat a obtenu l’équivalence du CMQ et a été admissible au contingent particulier par les conférences des vices-doyens, il peut présenter une demande dans ce cadre directement aux facultés.
Concernant votre demande d’éliminer le processus d’attestation du diplôme de médecine qui est unique au Québec. Ce processus est la raison principale que beaucoup de candidats, dont des Québécois qui ont étudié à l’étranger, ne postulent pas au Québec.
Comme vous le savez, le processus du jumelage est la responsabilité du CarMs et non du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS).
Actuellement, nous sommes en réflexion sur l’admission des DHCEU canadiens afin de mieux encadrer et surtout de faciliter l’orientation et l’admission de ces candidats en résidence.
Je tiens à vous préciser tout de même que le MSSS n’a pas de grand pouvoir d’agir sur le processus ou les balises émises par le du Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).
Dans ce sens, on réitère notre volonté d’harmoniser les informations sur les processus d’admission des DHCEU. Nous maintenons, notre proposition et notre volonté de mettre en place un guide explicatif au sujet des postes de résidence au Québec pour les finissants des autres provinces notamment pour le DHCEU.
On vous remercie pour votre implication pour l’accueil, l’orientation et l’accompagnement des DHCEU.
Cordialement
(A noter que la lettre n’a pas été signée, mais que le courriel nous a été acheminé par Malek Arab du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec).
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Socasma has recently received correspondence from Dr. Lucie Opartrny, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services, indicating that Canadians outside Quebec who have graduated from international medical programs will now be able to apply for residency positions in Quebec. CARMS’ website still needs to be updated, but we thought we should inform you in case you were interested in applying for residency in Quebec. It is important to know that in addition to the usual requirements (exams from the Medical Council of Canada), candidates must meet French language proficiency requirements. They must also obtain a certificate of equivalence of their diploma from the Conseil des médecins du Québec, a process that can cause certain delays. It is therefore important to start this equivalency recognition process for your diploma early. Each year, close to twenty residency positions remain unfilled in Quebec, many of which are in regions with a high concentration of Francophones.
For more information about the CARMS matching process in Quebec: https://www.carms.ca/match/r-1-main-residency-match/eligibility-criteria/quebec/
UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2020
CANADIANS WHO HAVE STUDYED MEDICINE ABROAD ARE ELIGIBLE FOR POSITIONS RESIDING IN QUEBEC, CONTRARY TO WHICH IS INDICATED ON THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF CANADA AND CARMS WEBSITES. These candidates must be bilingual. Applicants must apply directly to the medical schools in question. One of the big problems in Quebec is that the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire requires that candidates’ diplomas be certified by Quebec. This process can take up to 6 months. SOCASMA has contacted the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire requesting that this requirement be abolished, or at the very least, a one-month service standard be established. We are still waiting for a response as of January 28, 202/. For more information about Quebec, see the letter we received from Quebec’s Ministry of Health.
Socasma has been corresponding with Quebec’s Ministry of Health. Here’s a response that we have just received.
(English translation of letter sent in French only.)
Hello Madame Lafrenière
First, please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in responding.
As you well know, Canadians (bilingual or French-speaking) who have studied medicine abroad (outside of Canada or the United States of America) are considered to be other IMGs.
As a reminder, for IMG physicians, it is possible to apply for a regular permit by obtaining a residency position in one of the faculties of medicine in Quebec. It is also possible to register for a medical clerkship, but the number of admissions is limited, depending on the capacity of medical schools.
IMG applicants who have not obtained the restrictive permit have the opportunity to obtain a regular permit. To do so, they must have obtained recognition of the equivalence of the medical doctor’s degree from Quebec, Canada or the United States. These candidates will be included in the regular admission quota for postdoctoral medical studies (family medicine or specialty residency programs).
However, a large number of these candidates are not admitted to residency, despite the recognition of the equivalence of their medical degree by the College of Physicians of Quebec (Collège des médecins du Québec). We invite you to consult the following link for the conditions and necessary steps:
http://www.cmq.org/page/fr/formation-postdoctorale.aspx
Finally, it is possible to make a request for support from the Center for the Evaluation of International Diplomas in Health (CÉDIS). In the event of refusal to a residency position in a program approved by one of the four faculties of medicine in Quebec, we invite applicants to contact CÉDIS, whose mandate is to support physicians in the process of obtaining a regular permit to practice, you will find all the necessary information in the following link:
http://www.cedis.ca/
Now to answer your questions:
For bilingual Canadian students who have studied medicine abroad and who would like to apply for a residency position in Quebec, these candidates are eligible, but they must follow the same process and meet the same requirements as other IMGs.
Regarding the special quota (contingent particulier), if a candidate has obtained the equivalence of the CMQ and has been eligible for the special quota by the conferences of vice-deans, he can submit an application in this context directly to the faculties.
Regarding your request to eliminate the medical degree attestation process which is unique in Quebec. This process is the main reason that many candidates, including Quebecers who have studied abroad, do not apply in Quebec.
As you know, the twinning process is the responsibility of CarMs and not of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).
Currently, we are considering the admission of Canadian IMGs in order to better supervise and especially to facilitate the orientation and admission of these candidates in residence.
I would like to point out, however, that the MSSS does not have great power to act on the process or the guidelines issued by the College of Physicians of Quebec (CMQ).
In this sense, we reiterate our desire to harmonize information on the admissions process for IMGs. We maintain our proposal and our desire to put in place an explanatory guide about residency positions in Quebec for graduates from other provinces, particularly for the IMG.
We thank you for your involvement in welcoming, guiding and supporting IMGs.
cordially
(Note that the letter was not signed, but that the e-mail was sent by Malek Arab from the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec).
Click on the link below to access key web sites for job search in the health field for unmatched physicians. Should you have other web sites to recommend, please send us an e-mail at: socasma.working@gmail.com
Click here to access document: JOBS
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE APPLIED TO QUEBEC FOR A JOB TO FIGHT COVID 19 / POUR CEUX QUI ONT POSTULÉ POUR UN EMPLOI AU QUÉBEC POUR FAIRE FACE À LA COVID 19 (le français suit)
Ms. Lucie Opatrny, Assistant Depuy Minister, Quebec’s Ministry of Health has written to us with some recommendations in response to a letter from Socasma. Ms. Opartny’s response (translation) is the following:
“Regarding your proposal on the availability of international graduates for helping health personnel and contributing to the health and well-being of population, we would like to inform you that several candidates registered on the web site (I contribute), were contacted in order to offer them positions. However, many requests received through this portal are still being analyzed. Be assured that answers will be sent to candidates according to their diplomas and area of expertise. However, we also invite these candidates to contact directly the human resources department of the Integrated Health and Social Services and Integrated University Health and Social Services Centers. Know that we appreciate everyone’s interest and desire to contribute during this
COVID-19 pandemic. Please accept, Madam, the expression of our best feelings.
Lucie Opatrny, M.D., M.Sc., MHCM
Assistant Deputy Minister
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec
See following web site with list of Integrated Health and Social Services Centres: https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/service-organization/cisss-and-ciusss/
See following web site for Je Contribue: https://jecontribuecovid19.gouv.qc.ca/Inscription.aspx
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Mme Lucie Opartrny, Sous ministre adjointe au ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec nous a transmis l’information et la recommandation suivantes en réponse à une lettre que nous avons fait parvenir au ministre de la Santé du Québec : “En ce qui concerne votre proposition sur la disponibilité des diplômés internationaux pour
prêter main-forte au personnel de la santé et contribuer à la santé et au bien-être de la population, nous tenons à vous informer que plusieurs candidats inscrits dans la plate-forme (Je contribue), ont été contactés afin de leur proposer des postes. Cependant, de nombreuses demandes reçues via ce portail sont toujours en cours d’analyse. Soyez assurée que des réponses seront acheminées aux candidats selon leurs diplômes et leur champ de compétences. Toutefois, nous invitons également ces candidats à contacter directement la direction des ressources humaines des centres intégrés de santé et de services sociaux et les centres intégrés universitaires de santé et de services sociaux. Sachez
que nous apprécions la mobilisation et le désir de contribuer de tout le monde durant cette pandémie de la COVID-19.
Veuillez agréer, Madame, l’expression de nos sentiments les meilleurs.
La sous-ministre adjointe,
Lucie Opatrny, M.D., M.Sc., MHCM”
Voici le site web avec le Centres intégrés de santé et services sociaux: https://www.quebec.ca/sante/systeme-et-services-de-sante/organisation-des-services/cisss-et-ciusss/
Voici le site Je Contribue: https://jecontribuecovid19.gouv.qc.ca/Inscription.aspx