Pan-Canadian Health Human Resource Strategy: 2005-2006 Annual Report

Amount/ Duration

$1,100,000 2004/05 to 2005/06

Recipient

British Columbia Ministry of Health. This project is facilitated under the umbrella of the Western and Northern Health Human Resources Planning Forum and includes an alliance of the health ministries, physician regulatory bodies and faculties of medicine of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Objectives

Develop an assessment process that will increase the capacity of all jurisdictions in the western provinces and northern territories to evaluate IMG's "practice readiness" for integration into the physician workforce in family practice, general surgery and internal medicine.

Activities

Develop an assessment template (led by a team of five to eight experts from the University of Calgary) including tools and educational prescriptives that are robust and sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of diverse clients.

Pilot and review the tools with results reported back to all participating partners.

Build on the assessment work done by the Ontario IMG Program, the collaborative assessment process developed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Federal Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada as well as the work under way by the National Assessment Consortium.

Anticipated Results Output

Improved access for IMGs to assessments that will facilitate the potential for their integration into the western/northern physician workforce in areas where there is an identified need.

Contact Information

British Columbia Ministry of Health | 2-2, 1515 Blanshard Street | Victoria, BC | V8W 3C8 | Telephone: (250) 952-3465

Amount/ Duration

$336,460 2003/04 to 2005/06

Recipient

Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC)

Objectives

Design, in collaboration with faculty developers and educational administrators, a national Faculty Development Program for individuals involved in education of Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) (e.g. teachers, clinical supervisors, program directors and educational administrators) in an attempt to enhance teaching and learning experiences and facilitate graduates' integration into the Canadian workforce.

Activities

Implement an environmental scan and needs assessment regarding education and supervision of International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Develop an orientation program for teachers of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with specific modules.

Develop a cultural diversity-training program transferable to teachers of IEHPs.

Develop a dissemination plan.

Anticipated Results Output

A faculty development program that will assist faculty and preceptors who work with IMGs. The program will be transferable for use and adaptation by other professions such as nursing.

Contact Information

Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada | 774 Echo Drive | Ottawa, ON | K1S 5P2 | Telephone: (613) 730-0687

Amount/ Duration

$169,620 2004/05 to 2005/06

Recipient

Medical Council of Canada (MCC). The MCC will partner with the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada in association with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and several other key stakeholder partners.

Objectives

Establish learning and assessment tools that are portable across jurisdictions.

Address communication skills and CLEO aspects of the practice of medicine in Canada.

Activities

The MCC and its partners will accomplish these objectives by activities occurring in two phases:

Phase 1: Review existing approaches/models to addressing the cultural, legal, ethical and organizational aspects of medicine; compile CLEO resources, collaborate to develop a single web-based information site and develop an e-learning interactive web-based program.

Phase 2: Identify specific regional/provincial/territorial learning needs that are unique. Adapt learning materials and/or use e-linkages.

Anticipated Results Output

Development of learning targets for cultural transition to Canada, legal aspects of medical practice in Canada, ethical principles as applied to medical practice in Canada, organizational aspects of medical practice in Canada and regional variations in the above.

Contact Information

Medical Council of Canada | P.O. Box 8234 Station T | Ottawa, ON | K1G 3H7 | Telephone: (613) 521-8787

Amount/ Duration

$212,322 2004/05 to 2005/06

Recipient

Medical Council of Canada (MCC)

Objectives

Establish an acting steering group to fund the staffing (including clerical/coordinating staff and evaluation consultant) to work with the Collaboration.

Conduct literature reviews and data re-analysis or other feasibility studies on areas of methodological "gaps."

Report findings and recommendations.

Activities

Review of documentation, a gap analysis, a review of international practice and consultation, preparation of a plan and recommendations to promote an integrated and harmonized approach to international medical education assessment.

Anticipated Results Output

The establishment of a functional working group to perform review, analysis, and identification of external sources for data, expertise and evidence.

An evidence-based set of criteria for screening IMGs.

An integrated approach to the assessment of IMGs that observes principles of fairness and transparency.

Recommendation of standards to be followed for the implementation of all assessment processes.

Contact Information

Medical Council of Canada | P.O. Box 8234 Station T | Ottawa, ON | K1G 3H7 | Telephone: (613) 521-8787

Amount/ Duration

$170,800 2005/06 to 2006/07

Recipient

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN). This work will build upon the work completed in the project for International Medical Graduates with the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada (AFMC) funded by Health Canada.

Objectives

Develop a Professional Development Program for a broad range of nurse educators working with IENs, both as faculty in educational institutions and nurse educators in health care agencies.

Activities

Create teaching modules which include key content, key teaching methods, and key professional development strategies.

Develop pertinent audiovisual triggers for teaching and learning, and key references for further reading and reflection.

Distribute materials in both written and electronic format, and demonstration of the program components at national meetings.

Anticipated Results Output

Create broad-based awareness.

Provide access to Professional Development program on the CASN and AMFC web sites.

Contact Information

Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing | Fifth Avenue Court Suite 15 | 99 Fifth Avenue | Ottawa, ON | K1S 5K4 | Telephone: (613) 235-3150 ext 25

Amount/ Duration

$113,250 2005/06

Recipient

New Brunswick Department of Health & Wellness.

Objectives

Increase capacity to support assessment for IMGs in New Brunswick.

Increase the number of IMGs practicing in the province.

Activities

Select and assess up to three IMGs based on specified criteria determined by the Clinical Skills and Training Program of Memorial University.

Conduct a six-month clinical evaluation under the supervision of selected preceptors at New Brunswick Regional Health Authorities (RHAs).

Assess the clinical trainees using the same evaluation process currently utilized by Dalhousie University.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased number of IMGs practicing in New Brunswick.

Increased supply of needed health professionals and enhanced access to medical services.

Contact Information

New Brunswick Health and Wellness | P.O. Box 5100 | Carleton Place | Fredericton, NB | E3B 5G8 | Telephone: (506) 453-8388

Amount/ Duration

$97,474 2005/06

Recipient

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Objectives

Increase capacity and assessment for International Medical Graduates.

Activities

Provide assessments of the knowledge and skills of selected International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

Deliver training to IMGs for up to six months to raise competencies to the required level for licensure in Canada.

Re-assess the students to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.

Anticipated Results Output

Increased number of IMGs who qualify for provisional licensure.

Established effectiveness of this method of training.

Contact Information

Department of Community and Health Services | Government of Newfoundland and Labrador | 57 Margaret's Place | P.O. Box 8700 | St. Jonh's, NL | A1B 4J6 | Telephone: (709) 729-3508

Amount/ Duration

$126,500 2005/06

Recipient

Nova Scotia Department of Health

Objectives

Assess International Medical Graduates (IMGs) who may be ready to enter family practice in Nova Scotia without formal residency training in Canada.

Activities

Develop therapeutics exam and produce materials for candidate orientation, examiner training and mentors.

Develop assessment tools and reports.

Conduct training workshops, program evaluation and audit.

Anticipated Results Output

A comprehensive assessment program for IMG physicians who are practice ready.

Placement, support and integration of newly licensed IMGs into communities in need of physician resources.

Support of the newly licensed IMGs to successfully pass the CFPC certification towards full licensure.

On-going refinement of the CAPP model to extend it to the assessment of IMG specialists and to other internationally educated health professionals.

On-going research, including validation of assessment instruments and strategies with presentation of findings nationally and internationally, especially with other Canadian IMG assessment programs/consortia.

Contact Information

Nova Scotia Department of Health | Government of Nova Scotia | 1690 Hollis Street | P.O. Box 488 | Halifax, NS | B3L 4H9 | Telephone: (902) 424-2900