WHEREAS there is a severe shortage of general practitioners and family physicians, particularly in small rural communities in British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the shortage of general practitioners and family physicians in small rural communities eliminates the basic health care needs that every British Columbian has a right to; AND WHEREAS there are Canadians studying abroad, well qualified doctors who would like to immigrate to Canada, and Canadians living in Canada who trained internationally before immigrating to Canada who would like to return to British Columbia to provide health care services but are facing obstacles in accessing and competing for postgraduate training positions in Canada: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that: - the Government of British Columbia develop and implement a program similar to those programs in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario that allow for International Medical Graduate IMG physicians wishing to immigrate to Canada to be assessed in a clinical environment by qualified professionals to determine their level of competency in order to qualify to apply to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC for licensure; - the Faculty of Medicine and UBC increase the number of IMG assessment and training positions available from 18 to 30 within the St. Pauls program or similar for those Canadian IMGs that require further training to qualify for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC; - the Faculty of Medicine and UBC develop residency training positions for Canadians studying abroad who wish to return to Canada for postgraduate training; - IMGs that are qualified to apply to the College of Physicians and Surgeons through any of these programs be accepted and placed in small rural BC communities most in need of physicians; and - the provincial government develop an incentive program to pay the student loans of qualifying medical graduates including IMGs in exchange for time served in rural areas in need.
Ministry of Health Representatives from the BC Ministry of Health, health authority medical staff, College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, and UBC Faculty of Medicine are working together to develop an assessment which confirms competency for entry to practice. A significant portion of the assessment will include a practice-based clinical assessment. Drawing best practices from programs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as aligning with the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canadas recommended approach; this work is expected to be ready for piloting in 2013. Forty more first-year residency positions for International Medical Graduates IMGs are being added over the next few years to the IMG-BC Program. By 2016, the Ministry expects to fund 58 first-year residency positions 52 in family medicine, and 6 in general specialties. In 2012, 26 IMGs began postgraduate medical education at UBC Faculty of Medicine 20 in family medicine, and 6 in general specialties. The Ministry continues to look for ways to improve IMGs access to residency opportunities; however, measures that would privilege Canadians studying abroad over other IMGs risks violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. IMGs coming to work in BC under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program have a work permit and are expected to provide medical services in an area of need, often a rural community. IMGs who access postgraduate medical education in BC are expected to return service in a rural community, or a community of need, once they complete their medical education. Currently, 28 IMGs are returning service throughout BC - Fort Nelson, Dawson Creek, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Terrace, Powell River, Bella Bella, Port Hardy, Parksville, Comox, Courtenay, Duncan, Qualicum Beach, Princeton, Penticton, Nakusp, Cranbrook, Nelson, Gibsons, Sechelt, Hope, Agassiz, Chase, and Vancouvers downtown east side. The Ministry of Advanced Education has a student loan forgiveness program for health care professionals, including physicians. BC student loan debt is forgiven at a rate of 3313 per cent per year for each year the physician practices in an underserved community or designated vacancy at a publicly funded facility in BC. After three years, a physicians BC student loan is fully paid. While in the loan forgiveness program, any outstanding interest that accumulates is also paid. For more information, please go to: www.aved.gov.bc.castudentaidbcrepayrepayment-helploan-forgiveness On August 3, 2012, the federal government announced that eligible family physicians and nurses who work in rural communities will have a portion of their Canada Student Loan forgiven starting Spring 2013. news.gc.cawebarticle-eng.do?nid689099