Express entry for foreign-trained doctors just one way to close gap in health care: Canadian Medical Association

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‘We need other measures’ on retaining foreign-trained physicians: Canadian Medical Association

CTV National News: Ottawa opens new system to fast-track permanent residency for foreign doctors

New federal healthcare measures will grant ‘express entry’ for foreign-trained doctors

Ottawa’s recently announced “express entry” program for foreign-trained doctors is just one way of closing the gap in the number of family doctors needed in Canada, according to the president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

The new program, which was announced on Monday, is intended for internationally trained doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience gained within the last three years.

CMA president Dr. Margot Burnell told CTV’s Your Morning on Tuesday that while the program is intended to address the shortage of family physicians across the country, more efforts are needed.

“We need to increase training spots. We need to retain those individuals working with us,” she said. “So this is one approach.”

A survey from the CMA and St. Michael’s hospital found that an estimated 5.9 million Canadians don’t have a primary care professional like a regular family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care team. Earlier this year, the CMA said that the country is short 23,000 family physicians.

Foreign-trained doctors who are nominated for Ottawa’s new program are granted expedited 14-day work permit processing – a process that can sometimes take years. There will be a total of 5,000 federal admission spots – in addition to the Provincial Nominee Program allocations - reserved for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job opportunities.

Burnell said some of those doctors need to work with their provincial colleges and have their training assessed to ensure that any gaps can be corrected.

“That may mean more training, that may mean supervised assessment of their practice capabilities,” she said. “We want to ensure that these graduates and trainees meet our current standards and are safe to enter the workforce.”

She added that the CMA will be watching closely to determine whether this pathway makes a difference in the new year.

“We’ll be looking to see how many physicians take this opportunity and will be looking to see if access to care for patients improves across the country with this initiative,” Burnell said.

With files from CTVNews.ca Breaking Digital Assignment Editor Lynn Chaya