Solutions to the Medical Doctor Shortage in BC

We have now met with the Minister of Health, the honourable George Abbott four times in order to discuss our recommendations. We are currently focused on moving forward with a paid clinical assistant in BC, a postion that an IMG who has been assessed at St. Paul's could fill. We are encourgaged by the Ministers interest in this subject and look forward to working with healthcare stakeholders to increase IMG integration into the BC healthcare system.

We believe that international medical graduates (IMGs) working cooperatively as a large and cohesive organization can better understand the opportunities that exist for us in BC and can better advocate for greater access to licensure and opportunities to work, based on our training and experience. We believe that IMGs are stronger when we stand united and enter into constructive dialogue with government, regulators and employers.

AIMD BC has been working hard on behalf of all IMGs in BC since it started in 2003. Back then we advocated for inclusion in discussions about IMG integration and we are now at the monthly "IMG Integration Taskforce" meetings. This taskforce includes the Ministry of Health, Post Graduate Deans -Faculty of Medicine at UBC, College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, IMG Residency Program at St. Paul's, Professional Association of Residents and AIMD BC. We were and still are interested in expanding the number of residencies at St. Paul's IMG residency program. The first of what is hoped to be an annual expansion has occurred. In November 2005 the provincial government announced an expansion from 6 to 18 residencies for the July 2006 intake.

We are now focused on ensuring that this expansion of IMGs in BC is integrated effectively and that assessment and orientation training be made available to more internationally trained medical doctors. We have met with the Minister of Health twice now and given him a 'solutions' document as discussed above. We have excellent relationships with all the key healthcare stakeholders in BC and look forward to working in partnership with them to move forward on issues of IMG integration, which includes employment for those IMGs who are looking for alternatives to becoming medical doctors again. We are now focused on providing services to our growing membership.

Membership includes:

• Member-only section with discussion forums and the ability to create study groups and the ability to ask questions of other members and experienced doctors who will be reviewing the forums.
• Regular training sessions open to members. The training will be geared toward passing the exams and will be taught by experienced members who have been through the system and or are currently working and/or are licensed
• Training on how to interview for CaRMs, how to market yourself to licensed doctors in order to become a clinical trainee.
• Cash bursaries from AIMD BC to members who are studying for exams. The exact number of bursaries is not known at this time but will be an annual competition.
• BCMA membership available to AIMDBC members and this membership is at the student rate. We are also working on deals with many other organizations.
• Updated list of members who are interested in being Clinical Trainees being provided to interested licensed medical doctors in BC. We will work with the Colleges to ensure that as many of our members have the opportunity to be clinical trainees as is possible.
• Contacts with former AIMD BC members in other provinces who can give you tips and inside information on the process of becoming licensed in other jurisdictions
• Job postings page with both private companies and health authorities using our AIMDBC website to post relevant positions for our members to apply to.
• Representation in discussions with government, regulators and employers.
• Assistance for those internationally trained medical doctors who are interested in working again in the healthcare field but not as licensed medical doctors
• Free membership. The cost of running the association is covered with sponsors and possibly by government assistance. Please note that our membership list is confidential and will not be released to anyone. To get an application form please go to the left margin and click on the ' Registration' tab.

Join AIMD BC

If you are an internationally trained medical doctor and are hoping to work again in the healthcare field based on your previous experience and training or you want to work again as a licensed medical doctor then come and join us...we can help. Go to the registration tab in the left margin and take the time to fill out the application and fax it, with a copy of your medical degree, to our office. We look forward to assisting you to become a healthcare professional again here in BC.

Please read-up on the basics of how to start the process of getting licensed again in BC. This information, important links and articles are updated on a regular basis by association volunteers so watch for upcoming changes.