|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S NEWS | SEARCH THE NEWSROOM | NEWS BY MINISTRY |
Holding Largest Ever Assessment of Foreign-Trained Doctors In Canada
TORONTO, Feb. 4 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is working to increase
the number of doctors in Ontario by conducting the largest clinical assessment
of foreign-trained physicians ever held in Canada, Health and Long-Term Care
Minister George Smitherman announced today.
"We are giving hundreds of foreign-trained physicians the chance to
demonstrate their medical skills and knowledge," Smitherman said. "We need
more doctors in Ontario, and by offering this unprecedented opportunity to
international medical graduates, we are responding to that need."
More than 550 international medical graduates (IMGs) will be
participating tomorrow at the Provincial IMG Clinical Assessment, which is
being held at McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of
Western Ontario and University of Ottawa.
"Foreign-trained physicians have a great deal to offer this province,"
said Joan Atlin of the Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of
Ontario. "The government's initiative to expand the exams so that a
significantly larger number of applicants competing for the available
positions can demonstrate their clinical skills is a positive step. It is one
important element towards ensuring a fair selection process."
"The College is delighted to see such a large pool of IMGs participate in
the clinical assessment. We believe this is another important step to
facilitate increased IMG participation in Ontario's health care system," said
Rocco Gerace, Registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
The government currently provides $26 million to train up to 200 IMGs
each year to practise in the province. That number has more than doubled from
90 in 2003. Through IMG-Ontario, an assessment, training and placement centre,
internationally trained doctors can become qualified to practise medicine in
Ontario.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons reports that in 2004 it issued the
highest number of medical licenses in almost 20 years. Last year is also the
first year in which more certificates were issued to IMGs than to Ontario
graduates. This demonstrates that the Ontario government's efforts to increase
the number of doctors - expanding enrolment in medical schools, providing more
physician training and employment opportunities in northern and rural
communities and, of course, improving access to IMGs - are paying off.
"This is a win-win for this province," said Smitherman. "Foreign-trained
doctors will be able to practice in their new home, as they want and are
trained to do. And Ontario patients will have better access to doctors in
their own communities."
The assessing and training of foreign-trained physicians is part of the
McGuinty government's comprehensive plan to improve health care in Ontario.
It's a plan that includes reducing wait times for key procedures, creating
Family Health Teams, increasing the number of doctors and nurses, and
investing heavily in community-based health care in order to ease the pressure
on hospitals and deliver care where patients need it most - closer to home.
This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
For more information on achievements in health care, visit:
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.
Version française disponible
Backgrounder
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASING FOREIGN-TRAINED DOCTORS IN ONTARIO
The McGuinty government is investing $26 million annually to increase the
number of international medical graduates (IMGs) working in the province. This
investment goes toward the establishment of IMG-Ontario, training and
assessment positions, IMG support projects and a fast-track assessment and
registration program.
IMG Ontario
Foreign-trained doctors are being brought into practice in Ontario more
quickly and easily since the establishment of IMG-Ontario in June 2004, a one-
stop entry point for foreign-trained doctors to apply for assessment and
training.
Through IMG-Ontario, eligible foreign-trained physicians are screened and
then directed to an appropriate assessment or training position, leading to
their being registered to practise in the province.
IMG-Ontario assesses the qualifications of foreign-trained doctors and
provides them with information on the medical system and pre-entry
requirements for practice in Ontario. The government developed IMG-Ontario
along with partners at the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine and the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
In 2004, IMG-Ontario accepted 165 IMGs into assessment and training
positions. The 2004 provincial budget more than doubled the number of IMG
training positions to 200 (up from 90 in 2003).
In the fall of 2004, IMG-Ontario began screening applications from IMGs
for assessment and training positions beginning in 2005. Of those who applied,
1,041 IMG applicants met the basic eligibility requirements and took part in
the IMG Ontario written exams (829 in the general exam, and 212 in the
specialty exam) in November 2004. Of those who completed the general written
exam, 559 qualified to participate in the clinical evaluation in February
2005, making it the largest such evaluation ever held in Canada. The number of
candidates participating in the specialty clinical exam has not yet been
finalized.
Training and Assessment
The government has more than doubled the number of IMG training and
assessment positions to 200 annually. More than 75 per cent of these IMG
positions currently require participants to practise in underserviced areas
for five years in return for their assessment or training.
Fast-Track Assessment and Registration
The government is also working with the College of Physicians and
Surgeons of Ontario on a pilot program that will register up to 40 experienced
physicians who are currently practising outside the province. All of the
positions also require participants to practise in underserviced areas for
five years in return for their assessment.
Alternate Health Careers
A pilot project called the Sector Specific Employment Services for
Alternative Health Sector Employment will help IMGs who are not working as
physicians to use their transferable skills and explore alternative employment
opportunities in other areas of the health sector. The pilot project will
serve 40 participants in the first year. Over the next three years, the
project will assist an additional 1,000 participants. The project is funded by
the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and led by the
Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
-30-
For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister's Office, (416) 327-4320; David Jensen, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, (416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
Other news releases disseminated by this ministry
