Welcome to Canada? IMGs in Canadian Medical Workforce Ludek Podhradsky, M.D.

My background - graduated in 1998 from Charles U in Prague, Czech Republic - graduated in 1998 from Charles U in Prague, Czech Republic - residency training in anesthesia for 12 months - residency training in anesthesia for 12 months - left my home country for Canada at - left my home country for Canada at the end of 1998 the end of landed in Vancouver BC - landed in Vancouver BC

Welcome??? - “…there are virtually no training positions available…” - “…there are virtually no training positions available…” (free quotation from MCCEE brochure 1998/99) (free quotation from MCCEE brochure 1998/99) - encounters with the college in BC - encounters with the college in BC - sent applications for observership - sent applications for observership - St. Paul’s Hospital (was refused) - St. Paul’s Hospital (was refused) - BC Children’s (accepted after 7 months) - BC Children’s (accepted after 7 months) - overall very unfriendly atmosphere, unwillingness to give any information or direction - overall very unfriendly atmosphere, unwillingness to give any information or direction

Ordeal - my goal: finding jobs related to medicine and prepare for my exams (=find balance between having some income and at the same time be able to prepare for upcoming exams) - my goal: finding jobs related to medicine and prepare for my exams (=find balance between having some income and at the same time be able to prepare for upcoming exams) - worked in various jobs and positions - worked in various jobs and positions 1/naturopathic office 1/naturopathic office - passed MCCEE in 09/99 - passed MCCEE in 09/99 2/MOA – after one month became unemployed 2/MOA – after one month became unemployed - passed TOEFL in 12/99 - passed TOEFL in 12/99 3/volunteering in research (RA) 3/volunteering in research (RA) - unemployed, living on bank loan - unemployed, living on bank loan - match in 03/00 – no success - match in 03/00 – no success - passed MCCQE I 05/00 - passed MCCQE I 05/00

Research 4/COPD, asthma studies – breakthrough 4/COPD, asthma studies – breakthrough - sufficient income and at the same - sufficient income and at the same having contact with medicine having contact with medicine - earned educational license for BC - earned educational license for BC - applied for a position in BC IMG program, St. Paul’s Hospital and did not get through the first round due to my scores in MCCQE 1 - applied for a position in BC IMG program, St. Paul’s Hospital and did not get through the first round due to my scores in MCCQE 1

Victory CaRMS match 03/2001 CaRMS match 03/ position in FM RAS with U of C - position in FM RAS with U of C - 27 months after arrival to Canada - 27 months after arrival to Canada - 17 months after being granted landed - 17 months after being granted landed immigrant status immigrant status

Obstacles 1. English language, medical terminology 1. English language, medical terminology - this applies to IMGs whose medical education - this applies to IMGs whose medical education was not taught in English was not taught in English 2. Cultural shock 2. Cultural shock 3. Multiple choice exams 3. Multiple choice exams - do results reflect real quality of an IMG? - do results reflect real quality of an IMG? - learning how to approach these exams is - learning how to approach these exams is actually a major part of preparing for them actually a major part of preparing for them 4. $$$ - ability to pay for exams and to cover living expenses can be a serious issue in many of IMGs 4. $$$ - ability to pay for exams and to cover living expenses can be a serious issue in many of IMGs 5. Knowledge of the process 5. Knowledge of the process - know-how to get in - know-how to get in - there should be more information on what - there should be more information on what educational options IMG has (observership, traineeship, medical research etc.) educational options IMG has (observership, traineeship, medical research etc.)

Three Commandments If you want to enter residency program in Canada: If you want to enter residency program in Canada: 1/ Meet “the right” people 1/ Meet “the right” people - e.g. IMGs who are IN, find mentor who can give you tips on where to apply for a job, how to prepare for multiple choice exams etc. - e.g. IMGs who are IN, find mentor who can give you tips on where to apply for a job, how to prepare for multiple choice exams etc. 2/ Familiarize thyself with the process 2/ Familiarize thyself with the process - know what educational options you have - know what educational options you have - look at differences in approaching IMGs in - look at differences in approaching IMGs in all provinces in Canada all provinces in Canada 2/ Work on overcoming obstacles 2/ Work on overcoming obstacles 3/ Be 3/ Be -patient -patient -persistent -persistent -assertive -assertive …and you will win!