Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals

1. Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals Presented at: 2009 Annual CASPR Conference Presented by: Stuart McAslan, Senior Advisor Wayne Oake, Director

2. In May 2006, HealthForceOntario (HFO) is born as a strategy —viewed as a broad umbrella over a series of HHR strategies. HealthForceOntario is an initiative designed to ensure that Ontario has the right number and mix of health care providers, when and where they are needed. As part of HFO, the provincial government creates the HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency (HFO MRA) Mandate: to help increase the number of qualified health care professionals practicing in Ontario in the following ways: • Recruit qualified health care professionals into Ontario • Retain Ontario’s domestically trained health care professionals • Assist internationally educated health professionals living in Ontario to become qualified to practice 2

3. HFO MRA:Five core business units The HFO MRA consists of: • Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals • Corporate Affairs • Marketing and Recruitment • Ontario Physician Locum Programs • Recruitment and Relocation Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals Recruitment andRelocation CorporateAffairs HFO MRA Ontario Physician Locum Program Marketing and Recruitment 3

4. HFO MRA:Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals Purpose: • One-stop shop to provide information, advice, support and programs to IEHPs pursuing registration in one of Ontario’s 23 regulated health professions. Process: • New clients undergo an intake and needs assessment to determine appropriate service and referral requirements. 4

5. Information General Online via HealthForceOntario.ca Profession-Specific Information Sessions Resources Self-Directed Assessment of Language, Credentials and Exam Readiness Study Groups Library Case Management Support Advice Career Alternatives Referrals Regulatory Colleges Bridging Programs Language Skill Development Immigration/Settlement Services Employment Services What do we do? The Access Centre provides access to: 5

6. Physicians Nurses Pharmacists Medical Laboratory Technologists Medical Radiation Technologists Physiotherapists Occupational Therapists Massage Therapists Respiratory Therapists Psychologists Optometrists Opticians Dieticians Midwives Dentists Dental Hygienists Dental Technologists Denturists Audiology & Speech Pathologists Chiropodists/Podiatrists Chiropractors Who are our clients? 23 Regulated Health Professions in Ontario 6

7. Our clients: Background • As of March 31st, 6,630 internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) have registered with the HFO Access Centre resulting in over 21,343 client encounters since opening on December 18th, 2006 • Access Centre clients have originated from over 150 different countries and are split evenly between genders (50% male and 50% female) • The top three countries of origin are: • India (13%) • Pakistan (10%) • Philippines (8%) 7

8. Our clients Registered Professions 8

9. Practicing Medicine in Ontario/ Residency Training Opportunities IMG Definition- International Medical Graduates (IMG’S) are those individuals who have obtained a Medical Degree outside of Canada and the United States. In Ontario most International Medical Graduates/Physicians require further Postgraduate training. Currently there are two options to apply and compete for Postgraduate Residency training positions. 1. Apply to the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) 2. Apply directly to programs at the PGY2 & PRA levels administered through the Centre for the Evaluation of Health Professionals Educated Abroad (CEHPEA)

10. Registration for Practice in Ontario

11. Licensing Overview in Ontario PCRC MCC EE MCC QE1 CaRMS – PGY1 CEHPEA Acceptance into Post-Graduate Training Program or PRA Position

12. CEHPEA Assessment Process CEHPEA CE1 Exam SWE Interview CE2 CaRMs

13. Orientation, Intake and Initial Assessment for New Clients Client Orientation Client Intake Client Assessment & Action Plan Development Ongoing Case-Management

14. Licensing Stream – IMG Program Existing Programs New Programs Orientation Session One-on-one Appointments Study Groups MCC Sessions One-on-one Appointments Clinical Observerships and Volunteer Positions CE1 Session One-on-one Appointments CaRMS Session One-on-one Appointments Interview Skills Session One-on-one Appointments Residency Position One-on-One Interview Skills Session

15. 2008 CaRMS Match Results In the first iteration; 1,299 IMG’s applied to CaRMS: 247 (19%) were matched to a residency position of their first choice discipline 58 (4.5%) were matched to another discipline In the second iteration; 929 IMG’s applied to CaRMS: 48 (5.2%) were matched to a position *179 (51%) of those positions in Ontario

16. PGY2 and PRA Results for 2007 In 2007; 42 IMGs were accepted into Post-Graduate Year 2 training positions in Ontario In 2007; 20 IMGs were offered Practice Ready Assessment positions in Ontario

17. IMG Program The Access Centre has developed a comprehensive IMG Program that includes the following 3 Streams: Licensing Stream One-on-One counselling appointments are complemented with group orientation sessions, workshops and study groups. IMGs interested in competing for a residency training position can participate in all sessions so long as they meet the basic eligibility requirements. Career Options-Employment Stream IMGs interested in employment options while preparing for the selection process or those interested in an alternative career in health may participate in the Employment Stream. This stream consists of 4 workshops and one-on-one appointments to assist IMGs seeking employment in a non-regulated health field. Career Options-Education Stream IMGs interested in re-training for an alternative career in health (regulated and non-regulated) may participate in the Education Stream. This program consists of two workshops and one-on-one appointments. Ideally, participants in the program will transition into another career in health, e.g., clinical research, health management, or another regulated health profession.