Quebec Statement of Need...

[Jinxapotato]

Hey all!

I am a Quebec resident who recently got into a D.O. school.

While I am aware of the H1B visa being an "easier" way out to get my desired residencies, I also know that most of the ACGME programs will only sponsor J1 visa. From what I have read, I will need a statement of need from my home province (Quebec), which seems arguably less arbitrary than the other provinces (no hard limits on number of applicants, no change in specialty through the last years).

So my question is: if I were to pursue an ACGME residency in IM (3 years), which complies to what Quebec would allow (they won't allow more than 3 years of GME in IM), then I am 1-year short to meet the 4 years requirement to practice IM in Canada. Then can I:
1) Apply for a 1 year extension to meet the Canadian requirement (like in other provinces)?
2)Do a fellowship in Hematology/Rheumatology/oncology (only subspecialties they would allow)?

Also, does this mean that if I am a Quebec resident, I will be unable to do things like cardiology/ophthalmology (not on the SoN list for Quebec) under a J-1 visa (that would be a bummer....)

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[NewCanadian]

Hey all!

I am a Quebec resident who recently got into a D.O. school.

While I am aware of the H1B visa being an "easier" way out to get my desired residencies, I also know that most of the ACGME programs will only sponsor J1 visa. From what I have read, I will need a statement of need from my home province (Quebec), which seems arguably less arbitrary than the other provinces (no hard limits on number of applicants, no change in specialty through the last years).

So my question is: if I were to pursue an ACGME residency in IM (3 years), which complies to what Quebec would allow (they won't allow more than 3 years of GME in IM), then I am 1-year short to meet the 4 years requirement to practice IM in Canada. Then can I:
1) Apply for a 1 year extension to meet the Canadian requirement (like in other provinces)?
2)Do a fellowship in Hematology/Rheumatology/oncology (only subspecialties they would allow)?

Also, does this mean that if I am a Quebec resident, I will be unable to do things like cardiology/ophthalmology (not on the SoN list for Quebec) under a J-1 visa (that would be a bummer....)

Quebec does not approve cardiology and ophthalmology right now.

Quebec does not have numeric limits on many students it will approve for internal medicine, but it does have limits on the subspecialties it will approve. you have obviously seen Quebec's list of needs.

You *might* be approved by Quebec for chief resident, if you are good enough to be chosen as chief resident. You *might* be approved by Quebec for one year of geriatric medicine. But, and there is a big but, you are *expected* to get your fourth year in Quebec. Quebec has a way for you to do this, and you are expected to take that opportunity rather than chief resident or a one year fellowship in the US.

Don't assume that hematology or medical oncology or rheumatology will be approved by the time you are ready to ask for a second letter of approval (i.e., when you are near the end of the three years of medicine training). Quebec could change its list of needed specialties and subspecialties by the time you are ready to apply for a second letter of approval from Quebec.

Pursuring a subspecialty program of two or three years is not permitted for the sole purpose of getting a fourth year. These are the rules for the program including Quebec applicants and all applicants from other provinces.

All this information is taken from the health canada website.

 

[Jinxapotato]

Pursuring a subspecialty program of two or three years is not permitted for the sole purpose of getting a fourth year. These are the rules for the program including Quebec applicants and all applicants from other provinces.

Thank you for your reply! Just to clarify, if I do a 2-3 years fellowship in...say...hematology/oncology, may I present my case as in "advancing my education to further specialize" rather than "fulfilling the 4 years requirement"? In this case, if I want to practice hematology/oncology (not general IM), I then need to match the Canadian training time requirement for hematology/oncology right?

 

[NewCanadian]

Thank you for your reply! Just to clarify, if I do a 2-3 years fellowship in...say...hematology/oncology, may I present my case as in "advancing my education to further specialize" rather than "fulfilling the 4 years requirement"? In this case, if I want to practice hematology/oncology (not general IM), I then need to match the Canadian training time requirement for hematology/oncology right?

No, not quite.

In Canada, Hematology is a distinct subspecialty and Medical Oncology is a distinct subspecialty.
You would have to decide ahead of time which one you would practice in Quebec.