Journey into the unknown: considering the international medical graduate perspective on the road to Canadian residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arlene Gutman; Nikoleta  Tellios; Ryan Taylor Sless; Umberin Najeeb

doi:10.36834/cmej.70503

Journey into the unknown: considering the international medical graduate perspective on the road to Canadian residency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors

Arlene Gutman University College Cork https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0281-9477
Nikoleta Tellios University College Cork https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9827-1623
Ryan Taylor Sless University of Toronto https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5086-426X
Umberin Najeeb University of Toronto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1652-9959

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.70503

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on education programs worldwide, including medical education. Particularly, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) planning to pursue residency training in Canada have been profoundly impacted. Cancellation of away electives, as well as changes to the format, timeline, and requirements of mandatory medical licensing exams has left IMG residency applicants in uncharted territory. Given that IMGs comprise up to 25% of the Canadian healthcare force, and often are based in underserviced areas, the licensure and eligibility of IMGs to continue to enter the Canadian healthcare force is of the utmost importance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic evolves, it is imperative that key decision makers and stakeholders continue to consider the downstream effect for IMGs and their eligibility to practice in Canada.

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Author Biographies

Arlene Gutman, University College Cork

Final year medical student at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. Prior to beginning medical school she worked as a Research Coordinator in gynecological clinical research. Arlene has a special interest in student advocacy and medical education.

Nikoleta Tellios, University College Cork

Final year medical student at University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. She has a Master's of Science from the University of Western Ontario in Pathology, and has an interest in medical education and student development.

Ryan Taylor Sless, University of Toronto

Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto with interests in General Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Simulation and Medical Education.

Umberin Najeeb, University of Toronto

Staff internist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at University of Toronto. She is the Faculty-Lead for International Medical Graduates [IMGs] mentorship program and the Co-Director of Department of Medicine's Master Teachers Program at UofT.

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Published

2020-10-10

How to Cite

Gutman A, Tellios N, Sless RT, Najeeb U. Journey into the unknown: considering the international medical graduate perspective on the road to Canadian residency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2020 Oct. 10 [cited 2024 Nov. 14];12(1):e89-e91. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/70503

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Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Canadiana

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