ASK THE EXPERT

My brother in law recently moved from Sri-Lanka where he was a very successful doctor.  Now he’s in Canada, and we don’t understand why he can’t practice here.  It’s very frustrating and we don’t know who to ask for help, or even if he has a chance to be a doctor again.  What do you suggest?

If you live in the Edmonton area, your best resource may be the Centre for Foreign Trained Professionals at the Bredin Institute 780.425.3730, who recently had six International Medical Graduates (IMGs) obtain residency at the University of Alberta – either through the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP) or through Canadian Residency Matching Service.

The results of the AIMGP 2006 competition were announced on December 8, 2005.  A total of 12 Family Medicine seats and approximately 12 specialty positions were offered to foreign trained doctors from an initial 120 applicants.  32 of the 123 applicants to the AIMGP were from Edmonton’s Bredin Institute ‘Centre for Foreign Trained Professionals’, achieving a total of six residency seats.

So yes, it can be done!  

The recognition of foreign trained credentials is unfortunately a complicated and time- consuming process, but accessing the Bredin Institute will certainly provide the clearest direction, rather than trying to figure out the ‘red tape’ on your own. 

Quick Facts

·         Capital Health Region is short 500 Doctors to meet the current needs of the population.  The largest physician deficits are in the specialties of Cardiology, Psychiatry, Laboratory Medicine and General Surgery.

·         There is a shortage of over 1000 physicians Alberta-wide.

·         Presently, there are over 300 IMG’s (International Medical Graduates) in Alberta who do not possess the license for medical practice.

·         IMG’s immigrating to Alberta bring with them an average of nine years of clinical experience.

·         It takes an average of three years for an internationally trained Doctor to enter medical residency training.

The six International Medical Graduates are currently starting medical residency training at the University of Alberta.  Among these doctors, two were offered positions in Family Medicine at the University of Alberta and the other four received multiple offers in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Community Medicine from either University of Alberta or University of Calgary.

About the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program

Funded by the Alberta provincial government (Health and Wellness), the AIMGP provides Alberta residents who are internationally trained Doctors with post-graduate training (residency) necessary to enter medical practice.  The program was launched in 2001 and started with eight positions in Family Medicine.  It eventually expanded to 12 seats in Family Medicine and added specialties.

In March 2006, the program received an increase in funding from Alberta Health and Wellness to offer up to 42 residency positions for the 2007 intake.

One IMG, a client at the Bredin Institute, has succeeded in securing a residency position in Anatomic Pathology through CaRMS.  The annual CaRMS competition presents a very rigorous challenge for IMG’s, as there are over 600 immigrant physicians vying for approximately a hundred residency seats across Canada.

Bredin Institute coordinates a support group for over 130 IMG’s who are at different stages of the medical licensure process (i.e. preparing to write the licensing exams, competing for residency or exploring alternative avenues).  The services and supports available to the Bredin Institutes IMG’s include: orientation into the medical licensure requirements in Alberta, peer led exam preparation study groups; workshops on Curriculum Vitae preparation and residency interviewing; guest presentation on various medical topics delivered by the University of Alberta’s medical residents and faculty; one-on-one counselling on a multitude of issues, such as career-planning, exam preparation, studying strategies and language advancement; and access to an electronic list with regular and frequent updates about the provincial healthcare sector, educational and employment opportunities for IMG’s, upcoming events at the Bredin Institute, etc.

For more information on the International Medical Graduates program at the Bredin Institute, contact our Centre for Skilled and Internationally Trained Professionals at 780.425.3730, toll free at 1-877-273-346, or email at international@bredin.ab.ca.

Bredin Institute is a non-profit organization, providing employment development solutions for over 30 years.