Let competence and experience guide BC PRA eligibility for internationally trained doctors
Let competence and experience guide BC PRA eligibility for internationally trained doctors
The Issue
To Dr. Heidi M. Oetter, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and Dr. Jack Burak, Clinical Director of Practice Ready Assessment-British Columbia (PRA-BC). Copy to Honorable David Eby, BC Premier, Honorable Adrian Dix, BC Minister of Health and Ms. Rose Ellis, Executive Director of Strategic Priorities, BC Ministry of Health
Whereas we commend the BC government for increasing the seats of the Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC) program for internationally trained physicians (ITPs) from 32 to 96 by March 2024 to improve the access of the public to family physicians and to facilitate the integration of ITPs into the BC health care system, this petition calls upon the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and others involved in PRA-BC to amend the eligibility requirements to 1 year of postgraduate training instead of two years.
Currently, eligibility for the PRA-BC requires 2 years of international postgraduate training (PGT) leading to recognition as a general/family physician. Since most ITPs do 1-1.5 years of such PGT in their home countries, they are ineligible for the PRA-BC program. Many of these ITPs, including those residing in BC*, have been integrated into the PRA programs in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland because those programs require 1 year of PGT in family medicine/internship. Those provincial PRA programs have been running for about a decade and have proven to be successful.
Failure to make these amendments will deprive British Columbians of a larger and more diverse pool of applicants of highly qualified physicians who have received outstanding scores on Medical Council of Canada exams and have substantial experience in family medicine/primary care. It may also leave PRA-BC seats vacant.
We ask the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and others involved in PRA-BC to amend their PGT requirement for PRA-BC since other provinces have proven that 1 year of PGT in family medicine/internship ensures safe and effective integration of ITPs into family medicine practice through PRA programs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Canadian On Paper Society for Immigrant Physicians Equality (COPSIPE)
*A recently published article providing examples of ITPs who have been able to practice after moving from BC to other provinces.
1,743
The Issue
To Dr. Heidi M. Oetter, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and Dr. Jack Burak, Clinical Director of Practice Ready Assessment-British Columbia (PRA-BC). Copy to Honorable David Eby, BC Premier, Honorable Adrian Dix, BC Minister of Health and Ms. Rose Ellis, Executive Director of Strategic Priorities, BC Ministry of Health
Whereas we commend the BC government for increasing the seats of the Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC) program for internationally trained physicians (ITPs) from 32 to 96 by March 2024 to improve the access of the public to family physicians and to facilitate the integration of ITPs into the BC health care system, this petition calls upon the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and others involved in PRA-BC to amend the eligibility requirements to 1 year of postgraduate training instead of two years.
Currently, eligibility for the PRA-BC requires 2 years of international postgraduate training (PGT) leading to recognition as a general/family physician. Since most ITPs do 1-1.5 years of such PGT in their home countries, they are ineligible for the PRA-BC program. Many of these ITPs, including those residing in BC*, have been integrated into the PRA programs in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland because those programs require 1 year of PGT in family medicine/internship. Those provincial PRA programs have been running for about a decade and have proven to be successful.
Failure to make these amendments will deprive British Columbians of a larger and more diverse pool of applicants of highly qualified physicians who have received outstanding scores on Medical Council of Canada exams and have substantial experience in family medicine/primary care. It may also leave PRA-BC seats vacant.
We ask the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and others involved in PRA-BC to amend their PGT requirement for PRA-BC since other provinces have proven that 1 year of PGT in family medicine/internship ensures safe and effective integration of ITPs into family medicine practice through PRA programs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Canadian On Paper Society for Immigrant Physicians Equality (COPSIPE)
*A recently published article providing examples of ITPs who have been able to practice after moving from BC to other provinces.
1,743
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Petition created on December 6, 2022