Developing Country Health Professionals Sidelined in Canadian Healthcare

Shafi Bhuiyan. Credit : ITMDs file photoBy Shafi BhuiyanTORONTO, Canada, Jun 15 2021 (IPS) In Canada, we are fortunate to have many talented newcomers eager to contribute to the country, including thousands of doctors from Africa, Asia and the Middle East who meet Canadian standards but are blocked from becoming practicing physicians. These doctors are Canadian citizens and permanent residents with recognized training and experience. Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMDs), also known as International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are individuals who obtain their medical license outside of Canada. ITMDs face significant barriers to obtaining a medical license to practice in Canada (Wong & Lohfeld, 2008). Residencies must be completed to obtain a medical license in Canada, yet there are few residency positions available to ITMDs compared to those trained in Canada. In 2011, over 1,800 International Medical Graduates competed for only 191 residency spots that were set aside for ITMD (Thomson & Cohl, 2011). After decades of employment experiences, still thousands of ITMDs must seek other employment opportunities. However, many are unable to find employment commensurate with their training, and some are unable to find employment at all (Environics Research Group, 2014). If now isn’t the time for Ontario to make better use of the trained doctors who are already here, when will it ever be? To practice medicine in Canada, ITMDs must have an approved medical degree...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Education Health Humanitarian Emergencies Labour North America TerraViva United Nations Source Type: news