scholarly journals The Canadian International Medical Graduate Bottleneck: A New Problem for New Doctors

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e86-e90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Watts ◽  
Joel Davies ◽  
David Metcalfe
Keyword(s):  
Postgraduate Training ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Medical Graduates

Background: A growing population of Canadian students are travelling outside of Canada for medical training. The purpose of this study is to assess the opportunity for Canadians studying medicine abroad (CSAs) to secure post-graduate medical residency positions as International medical graduates (IMGs) in Canada.Methods: Current statistics on IMG applicants into the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) will be compared to the number of CSAs applying to return to Canada.Results: In 2010, 75% (1232) of IMG applicants were unmatched following application to CaRMS, despite a doubling in positions reserved for IMGs from 2003. An estimated 3750 CSAs are currently attending over 55 medical schools globally; a six-fold increase since first reports in 2006. Between 2012 and 2014, it is estimated that 72.8% of CSAs will graduate, with 90.4% hoping to return to Canada for post-graduate residency training.  Discussion: The increasing population of CSAs poses a significant risk for future IMGs attempting to secure postgraduate training positions in Canada. From this perspective, we have coined the term ‘Canadian IMG Bottleneck’ – which describes the funnelling effect that has been created by the growing number of CSAs and the limited number of IMG residency positions available in Canada.

scholarly journals Journey into the unknown: Considering the international medical graduate perspective on the road to Canadian residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlene Gutman ◽  
Nikoleta Tellios ◽  
Ryan Taylor Sless ◽  
Umberin Najeeb
Keyword(s):  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
The Road ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Licensing ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Canadian Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on education programs worldwide, including medical education. Particularly, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) planning to pursue residency training in Canada have been profoundly impacted. Cancellation of away electives, as well as changes to the format, timeline, and requirements of mandatory medical licensing exams has left IMG residency applicants in uncharted territory. Given that IMGs comprise up to 25% of the Canadian healthcare force, and often are based in underserviced areas, the licensure and eligibility of IMGs to continue to enter the Canadian healthcare force is of the utmost importance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic evolves, it is imperative that key decision makers and stakeholders continue to consider the downstream effect for IMGs and their eligibility to practice in Canada.

Training international medical graduate clinical fellows: the challenges and opportunities for adolescent medicine programs

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eudice Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Adolescent Medicine ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Formal Basis

Abstract Adolescent medicine achieved accreditation status first in the United States in 1994 and then in Canada in 2008 and even if it is not an accredited subspecialty in most other Western nations, it has still become firmly established as a distinct discipline. This has not necessarily been the case in some developing countries, where even the recognition of adolescence as a unique stage of human development is not always acknowledged. The program at SickKids in Toronto has prided itself in treating its international medical graduates (IMG) clinical fellows the same as their Canadian subspecialty residents by integrating them seamlessly into the training program. Although this approach has been laudable to a great extent, it may have fallen short in formally acknowledging and addressing the challenges that the IMG trainees have had to overcome. Moving forward, faculty must be trained and supports instituted that are geared specifically towards these challenges. This must be done on a formal basis to ensure both the success of the trainees as well as the overall enrichment of the fellowship training programs.

International medical graduates' reflections on facilitators and barriers to undertaking the Australian Medical Council examination

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pam McGrath ◽  
Saras Henderson ◽  
Hamish A. Holewa ◽  
David Henderson ◽  
John Tamargo
Keyword(s):  
Medical Training ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Program Coordinators ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Objective. In Australia, 25% of international medical graduates (IMGs) make up the medical workforce. Concern is expressed in the literature about the lack of awareness and knowledge of issues that impinge on IMGs’ education. Although there is literature alluding to difficulties IMGs face with undertaking the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination, there is little research detailing this experience. We therefore explored IMGs’ reflections on facilitators and barriers in undertaking the AMC examination. Methods. After ethics approval, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 30 IMGs selected from a hospital in Queensland. Data were coded and analysed using thematic analysis principles. Results. Two facilitating themes were identified: ability to sit for the first part of the examination in country of origin; and having access to resources such as bridging courses and study groups. Three themes represented barriers: not understanding procedural steps; financial issues; and lack of information on examination content and standards. Conclusion. The themes provide new insights and add depth to existing literature that can be used to improve procedural processes and education for IMGs towards successful outcomes in the AMC examination. What is known about the topic? There is concern expressed in the literature about the lack of awareness and knowledge of issues that impinge on IMGs education. The Australian work that is available only depicts educational experience of fellowships or education and training strategies after IMGs have passed their AMC examination. What does this paper add? The findings indicate that the process of sitting for the AMC examination is perceived as one of the major difficulties associated with entering and integrating into the Australian health system. The findings indicate a range of practical, financial and resource problems faced by IMGs attempting to sit for the AMC examination. What are the implications for practitioners? The detailed accounts from IMGs about their experience with undertaking the AMC examination will provide up-skilling program coordinators with the information they need to better assist IMGs to prepare for the examination. The provision of appropriate medical training and educational support will contribute to more effective integration of IMGs into the healthcare system.

scholarly journals Licensing and Registration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada and Australia: an Explorative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Fiodorov
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Explorative Study ◽  
Educational Credentials ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Permanent Residents

Canadian and Australian licensing and registration policies regarding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) display some noticeable similarities and differences. Both receiving countries verify IMGs educational credentials, medical training, and language proficiency, apply examinations assessing the skills of this group of foreign trained doctors and tend to place IMGs in underserviced areas responding to health care workforce shortages. However, the Australian nationally regulated, focused on specific labour market needs approach to registration allows IMGs to use various pathways to registration. IMGs who enter Australia utilizing different immigration options have to be registered by the designated registration bodies and, in most cases, to have a verified offer of employment before they are granted visas by the immigration authorities. Consequently, they can start practicing medicine right after their arrival. On the contrary, their Canadian counterparts begin their licensing process only after they enter Canada as permanent residents. The urgent need for nationally consistent, pragmatic and flexible approach to licensing of foreign trained doctors in this country is emphasized.

Dynamics of international medical graduates’ migration

2021 ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Nyapati Rao ◽  
Saeed Ahmed ◽  
Dinesh Bhugra
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
High Income ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Evidence Based Care ◽  
The Waves

International medical graduates (IMGs) provide an invaluable service in many high-income countries. Their migration patterns vary and the post-migration adjustments need to be understood to ensure that they remain well and are looked after. They hail from a variety of medical schools and with varying linguistic skills. Their religious backgrounds vary, as do reasons for migration and personal responses to changes in working in different healthcare systems. With many students from high-income countries going into low-income countries to do their medical training, the processes of adjustment can bring certain challenges. The waves of IMGs have changed from Europe to Hispanic to South Asian IMGs. The training needs of IMGs include an understanding of the healthcare system, as well as picking up evidence-based care. Language barriers and social isolation, especially for those who did not speak English as their first language or are working in remote areas can create problems in functioning well.

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