Canadian residents applying to US ophthalmology

[gotrumpet]

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Hi guys

I know that Visioncam said that Canadians are regarded the same way as US applicants before on a previous thread. But do you know if this is a general rule for ophtho?

I'm asking, because when I was emailing program directors, they didn't answer me directly and it was very frustrating.

I'd ask if Canadians were comparable to US applicants, and they would give out generic answers like check our website, or check with ACGME, or answer with "foreign medical graduates" need to be very competitive. Or "you need very high scores in steps 1 and 2." (And step 2???) It made me feel as if many of the programs just saw Canadians as IMG's. I didn't feel like emailing again to clarify, cuz it was like my question wasn't being answered. I actually asked 3 different questions and sometimes I'd just get a link, which was kinda insulting cuz the link didn't have the info I needed.

It was kinda frustrating cuz lots of Canadian schools actually welcome Americans, like Toronto and McGill.

So I am confused why some of the program directors are answering that way, cuz I'm not so sure where Canadians stand anymore.

Thanks

 

[gotrumpet]

bump

 

[EYESURG]

Hi guys
It was kinda frustrating cuz lots of Canadian schools actually welcome Americans, like Toronto and McGill.

I am not sure if a US Ophthalmologist can practice in Canada since they have to go to a 4-yr ophtho program like Tulane? I am not 100% sure, but I think its right. Any comments?

 

[Mirror Form]

I am not sure if a US Ophthalmologist can practice in Canada since they have to go to a 4-yr ophtho program like Tulane? I am not 100% sure, but I think its right. Any comments?

In order to get licensed in canada, they'd have to go to one of the 4 year programs. That is correct. However, they could still practice in the US, which I imagine would be preferable over canada's system.

 

[gotrumpet]

Can't they just either do a fellowship and count that as the PGY-5,

OR

ask the school to let them do another year and count that as PGY-5? (seems that it would only benefit the school to do so, having a fully trained ophthalmologist work at a resident's wage for you for 1 full year)

 

[Lymnaea]

In order to get licensed in canada, they'd have to go to one of the 4 year programs. That is correct. However, they could still practice in the US, which I imagine would be preferable over canada's system.

US ophtho schools will take Canadians but like everyone else, they will look at USMLE scores. These scores are the only they can compare YOU to all the other applicants.

Most of the schools in the US are 3 yr programs. The Royal College of Canada requires 4 yrs of training inorder to be a certified ophthalmologist. For all the Canadian schools, the one extra year is basically a surgically year where you get to go to the OR everyday. Almost all Canadian grads will have 250 -300+ cataracts skin-to-skin by the time they are finished. The Royal College implimented the extra year just so they can feel comfortable that their graduates are "competent". This was implemented about 12 years ago. As a consequence, this makes it almost impossible for a US grad to work in Canada. With fellowship, they may hire you in Canada but will likely need an University endorsement to the Royal College.

The last comment on whether it is preferable to work in US over Canada is debatable. Ophthalmologist in Canada are the second most well-paid of any physicians after cardiac surgery on average.

 

[gotrumpet]

US ophtho schools will take Canadians but like everyone else, they will look at USMLE scores. These scores are the only they can compare YOU to all the other applicants.

Most of the schools in the US are 3 yr programs. The Royal College of Canada requires 4 yrs of training inorder to be a certified ophthalmologist. For all the Canadian schools, the one extra year is basically a surgically year where you get to go to the OR everyday. Almost all Canadian grads will have 250 -300+ cataracts skin-to-skin by the time they are finished. The Royal College implimented the extra year just so they can feel comfortable that their graduates are "competent". This was implemented about 12 years ago. As a consequence, this makes it almost impossible for a US grad to work in Canada. With fellowship, they may hire you in Canada but will likely need an University endorsement to the Royal College.

The last comment on whether it is preferable to work in US over Canada is debatable. Ophthalmologist in Canada are the second most well-paid of any physicians after cardiac surgery on average.

Can't you go to the OR everyday then, in your 5th year in the US? (ie. "make" your own year?) I guess that may be hard, seeing that the program may want to accomodate other PGY-2 to PGY-4's. Not sure what people have experienced here.

Just for the record, I thought ophthalmologists were paid the same in the US.

 

[brendang]

As a Canadian in an ophthalmology residency in the US, it has always been my understanding that the additional year (at least in Ontario, where I'm from) is not required as long as one passes his or her US boards and thereby eligible to take the Canadian written and oral exam. Moreover, a fellowship year to make up the difference may also be used to replace the requirement of PGY5 if need be...

 

[Lymnaea]

As a Canadian in an ophthalmology residency in the US, it has always been my understanding that the additional year (at least in Ontario, where I'm from) is not required as long as one passes his or her US boards and thereby eligible to take the Canadian written and oral exam. Moreover, a fellowship year to make up the difference may also be used to replace the requirement of PGY5 if need be...

You may well be right on this as I am sure you have looked into it more than I have. My advice has been based on what certain staff has told me and through the royal college website.

Also, I must qualify my answer previously that pay is not and should not be the only reason to choose to work in Canada or the US. I think overall job satisfaction and patient care can be the same, but research is likely better in the US given the amount of resources and funding.