October 29, 2002
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More IMGs to Begin Enhanced Medical Training
The provincial government's initiative to help international medical graduates become licensed doctors in Manitoba is already paying dividends with three people taking their last steps toward practising medicine and eight more preparing to begin final training, Labour and Immigration Minister Becky Barrett announced today.
Three international medical graduates in the Manitoba government's Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates are in the final stages of completing a one-year individualized enhanced medical training program and could be practising early in the new year.
Eight additional international medical graduates have now successfully completed the Clinicians Assessment and Professional Enhancement (CAPE) process, will soon begin their one-year training program and could be practising as early as January 2004.
"This is a valuable way to fill a need and recognize credentials in an appropriate and helpful way," said Barrett.
The minister noted the initiative to assist international medical graduates, announced in April 2001, is consistent with the government's initiative to streamline the process of recognizing the professional qualifications of immigrants.
A preliminary one-day meeting with key stakeholders is planned for next month to help the government develop a new recognition process for a variety of other professions and trades.
"The Medical Licensure Program is tangible proof that professional and educational bodies can work together with government to create a process that allows immigrants to practise their vocations in Manitoba," Barrett said.
The CAPE process is an assessment tool developed by the faculty of medicine and is used to assess the medical knowledge and clinical skill of physicians.
Beginning this year, through Manitoba Labour and Immigration's Credentials Recognition Program, applicants may receive interest-free financial support to cover the $3,500 required to enter the CAPE process as part of the licensing program. The IMGs who are successful in CAPE will be required to repay the amount received within two years of beginning medical practice in Manitoba. Those who are not successful will not be required to repay the loan.
"It has been a high priority of our government to increase the number of physicians in our province," said Barrett. "Manitoba Health, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine developed this made-in-Manitoba solution as an innovative approach to address the needs of international medical graduates and the medical needs of our community."
Following assessment, each successful international medical graduate obtains an offer of employment from a regional health authority and could practise in that particular region for two to six years.
Red River College delivers a program to international medical graduates to assist them in preparing for the CAPE assessment, medical licensing examinations and medical practice in Canada. Eighteen candidates have been selected to participate in the next delivery of the program, which will begin in November.
The initiative is part of Manitoba's Physician Recruitment and Retention Program.
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BACKGROUND
- The Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates was launched in April 2001 as a co-operative effort of Manitoba Health, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba.
- The program is offered in three stages. The first stage is optional and is designed to assess and support language skills; prepare candidates for the assessment process, medical licensing and licensing examinations; improve familiarity with the Canadian health care system; and provide information about legal and ethical issues related to medical practice in Canada. There is also an opportunity to enhance clinical skills by working with patients in simulated situations. This portion of the program is delivered by Red River College.
- The second stage involves the three-day Clinicians Assessment and Professional Enhancement process, which will identify medical strengths and areas of weakness. The usual intake for the assessment is 10 candidates. Applicants who do not have any areas of weakness and who meet all other criteria for medical licensure may be eligible to apply for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons immediately.
- The second stage also offers a program of instruction at the Faculty of Medicine for physicians requiring additional training as identified by the assessment. A tailor-made program of up to one year will address the physicians' individual learning needs. Following successful completion of training, these physicians will practise in a Manitoba community.
- In the third stage, eligible international medical graduates will be granted conditional medical licences and will begin primary care practice in their sponsoring region, working with a practice advisor who is a licensed physician.
- The province and the regional health authorities provided over $600,000 in the first year for the development of the program. Annual costs of the program are approximately $1 million.
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