Coming back to Canada after U.S. residency

[Mike84]

If I went to an Irish or Australian medical school then did a 3-year FM residency in the States, then wrote and passed the 4 Canadian exams, would I be able to then practice freely in Canada as a family doctor?

I know it's a long road, but I am just looking into the possibilities of returning to Canada. Since the FM residency in the U.S. is a year longer than the Canadian one, length shouldn't be a problem. Also, Ireland/Australian medical schools are acceptable in Canada. Lastly, having passed all 3 steps of the USMLEs, being licensed in the States, and then having passed all 4 Canadian exams (this includes the one for FM), would this then be adequate for getting a license to practice family medicine in BC?

Does anyone know if this is correct? I have an inkling that it is not so easy...perhaps there is a rural return of service thing you need to do, or maybe there are more evaluations, or maybe you'll only get a temporary license. I've tried looking at the official sites but can't find any more info regarding what happens to you after you've passed all four Canadian exams

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[cure4cancer]

hey i was just about to ask the same question...

add Carribean schools to the list as well

 

[johnny_blaze]

I’ve tried to get info on this topic from official sites as I was considering returning to Canada after a US residency. The websites are very unclear of what is required.
I’d say the best thing to do is to find a contact number on the royal college of surgeons and physicians of Canada’s website and call them and ask. A one on one conversation will probably get you more specific answers.

My situation is somewhat different form you’re as my research is based towards going back to Ontario not BC. And Ontario has its own set of rules and a 5 year rural commitment in an under serviced part of Ontario may be required. Not too sure if this is the same for BC as each province has its own rules.

If you go to this site www.bmjcareers.co.uk and search for international jobs in Americas you might be able to get some info on specific areas/hospitals in Canada and their requirements. I think I remember seeing a lot of jobs for international GPs/specialists, and if I remember correctly, all that was required was a fellowship and not specifically a Canadian one. This is for British trained doctors, but if they accept British doctors they probably will accept American/Caribbean ones.
I dunno… it might be worth a try as some of the adds have contact numbers

 

[hilariosee]

in order to get an FP license in ontario, you need an MD degree recognise by the cfpc, then a residency program equivalent to the canadian residency (american one is equivalent), pass LMCC part I and II, be an american board certified family physician, pass the canadian family practise exam and you should be eligible for license in ontario. in other province like BC, you don't need the canadian family practise exam.

 

[Mike84]

in order to get an FP license in ontario, you need an MD degree recognise by the cfpc, then a residency program equivalent to the canadian residency (american one is equivalent), pass LMCC part I and II, be an american board certified family physician, pass the canadian family practise exam and you should be eligible for license in ontario. in other province like BC, you don't need the canadian family practise exam.

Hey hilariosee,

Thanks. Mind telling us where you got the info? I know BC has an IMG program that funds six positions to obtain an FP residency (I think the top 4 IMGs who get in get to do the residency). However, I have found nothing on Cdn IMGs w/ U.S. family medicine residency training. How did you find out that u don't need to write the FP exam to practice in BC? Also, it seems kind of too good to be true...I wonder if there are any catches ?

 

[hilariosee]

mike84,

I did my medical school at univeristy of toronto then I did my family medicine residency in the US. I came back to canada so I had to do some "research" to find out how to get my ontario license. I also looked at other provinces because Ontario is the only province (i think) that requires you to pass the canadian exams before the CPSO will license you. Other provinces may require you to take the exam later but will give a temporary license. I look into the other provinces in case i did not pass the canadian exam. Good luck

 

[Mike84]

mike84,

I did my medical school at univeristy of toronto then I did my family medicine residency in the US. I came back to canada so I had to do some "research" to find out how to get my ontario license. I also looked at other provinces because Ontario is the only province (i think) that requires you to pass the canadian exams before the CPSO will license you. Other provinces may require you to take the exam later but will give a temporary license. I look into the other provinces in case i did not pass the canadian exam. Good luck

Oh, so you were not an international medical graduate (IMG), but a graduate of a Canadian medical school who did a FM residency in the U.S. See, I am a Canadian citizen who is thinking of going to Ireland or Australia for medical school because I don't think I can get in in Canada. Now, having gotten a medical degree from an Irish or Australian school, I would be considered an IMG, even if I did a family medicine residency in the U.S. I don't think I would be in the same category as you as per licensing issues since you are a Canadian medical graduate.

Perhaps I am way off base here -- if I am, could you clarify what you found out when you researched licensing issues. Thanks a lot.

 

[hilariosee]

Oh, so you were not an international medical graduate (IMG), but a graduate of a Canadian medical school who did a FM residency in the U.S. See, I am a Canadian citizen who is thinking of going to Ireland or Australia for medical school because I don't think I can get in in Canada. Now, having gotten a medical degree from an Irish or Australian school, I would be considered an IMG, even if I did a family medicine residency in the U.S. I don't think I would be in the same category as you as per licensing issues since you are a Canadian medical graduate.

Perhaps I am way off base here -- if I am, could you clarify what you found out when you researched licensing issues. Thanks a lot.

Hi Mike84,
I don't know the exact answer to your solution but I read the college of family physician of canada website and it sounds like if you have completed an ACGME accredited family practise residency then it does not matter what medical school you are from. (They may assume that the residency have screen your medical school that it is appropriate and that you have sufficient knowledge and skills to finish the residency). Ontario is the only province that I know that requires you to be CCFP designate before you can get a license. In other provinces you may need only LMCC part I and II, but they have to recognise your degree as equivalent or you have to do 12 months of clinical work in canada to prove your competency.
I would check out the CFPC.com website and the province's regulatory body that you are interested in practising in. They have pretty specific detail. If that does not answer your question, I would call them. (I had to call them a few times myself).

 

[f_w]

If you want to go to BC right after your FP residency in the US, you could work with a temporary license in an underserved area. For this type of position, they accept USMLE's and US board certification.

www.healthmatchbc.org

lists these positions (most are pretty far north, but especially some of the FP jobs seem to be in populated areas). This would give you 3 years or so to write the requisite canadian exams. In order to obtain an unlimited license, you will have to pass the LMCC and the canadian FP exam eventually.

Ontario is nuts in regards to physician licensure. The cards there are really stacked against you as a returning canadian expatriate.