International Medical Graduates: Welcome to Canada?

1. International Medical Graduates: Welcome to Canada? M. Watanabe ACMC, Calgary AB April 30, 2002

2. Canadian Physician Workforce: Two Main Policy Levers • Undergraduate Medical Enrolment • Immigration Policies of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) • Post-MD Trainees – tied to UGME • Practice Communities - distribution

8. Canadian Policy Framework • Immigration Policies • Initially preferential immigration status for IMG physicians • Preferential status later removed • 1975 National Committee on Physician Manpower – future needs can be met by domestic supply

15. Canadian Workforce Policy: Roadmap and Milestones • 1992 Conference of Provincial/ Territorial Ministers of Health and NCCPMT • Reduce UGME by 10%, starting 1993 • Maintain 50:50 specialist:FP/GP ratio • Maintain or reduce physician:population ratio • Reduce PGME by 10%; reduce visa trainees • Reduce Canada’s reliance on IMGs • Implement two pathways to licensure • MCC, ACMC, FMLAC

29. Questions about IMGs • Whom do they serve? • Canada’s professional care needs • their own professional needs • Are the post-MD training programs serving their needs • Rural practice, specialties • choice of specialty needs in their own country

30. Thank you!