shady

Probably makes it easier for Canadian associations and/or saves them money. But it definitely is worse for Canadian doctors because it restricts their practice choice. Makes it easier for future governments to reduce physician salaries

This is a sad turn of events. It sets the stage for further decoupling between US and Canada in the future and I won't be surprised if the rate of decoupling of specialty boards increases. Is there anything we can do to stop this?

can't wait to be vaccinated

Yes

DeGroote paid another $50 million in 2014 to McMaster. Nice of him. But I still call it "McMaster Medicine". Don't like those names... :/

almost all of medicine is algorithmic nowadays exceptions are for new diseases and for instances where published guidelines haven't yet kept up with the latest empirical evidence

Neither is necessary and you can get by the basic iPad which also supports the pencil. So to answer your question: totally up to you and what you prefer

Just read this today: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-01885-6 Apparently trump is suspending not only H-1Bs which have a path to US citizenship, but also J-1s which do not. J-1s are a popular choice for Canadians to do residency and fellowships in the United States. Will not be issued until end of 2020, but can be extended. No exemption for doctors (yet) - the only exemption is to be engaged in COVID research. There goes my US fellowship applications

Hmm that would be a good thing. Not clear on the website EDIT: are you sure it's included? MCCQE1 has no such item underneath. Also, I've had juniors that I work with believe it's ~$4,000, but obviously can't be sure that they are right EDIT2: there's also this gem now: " All candidates must pay a one-time, non-refundable account fee of $298 to set up a physiciansapply.ca account.". Wasn't there when I opened my account

I second this. Derm is very lucrative if you're ok with cosmetics. But not everyone is - some don't like the population and they can be demanding. Others consider it a small price to pay for a 9-5 high income life. But the real value in derm, in my opinion, is that after 5 years you are completely done. No fellowship or any of that jazz. Rent an office almost anywhere, put up a shingle, and you will have endless referrals. Derm waitlists are long

I find that hard to believe. But I wouldn't hesitate to switch banks in an instant. Wondering if anyone on this site has gotten this offer?

Saw a petition about cancelling the MMCQEII which mentioned a 40% increase to MCCQEII fees. I just checked myself and this seems to be correct https://mcc.ca/examinations/examination-service-fees/ I wrote 2 years ago for ~$2500. What's with the massive fee hike?

This is silly. I'm not an IMG but I don't understand the rationale of targeting IMGs specifically. I would expect decisions made by medical schools to be more evidence based than this.

I really like this article. I'm not sure if spending a lot of time on polishing one's CV early in life is actually a predictor of burnout later in life, but I am inclined to believe it. For me personally, I absolutely hate chart reviews. I've started a few projects over the years that I couldn't finish. The ones I do finish never feel well done. Yet I did them because I felt I had to, never because I wanted to. I've always wrote off research as not for me. However, in the last year, I've discovered my niche - technology in medicine. I'm so into the topic I'm now doing a full time masters in it (when previously I had completely written off research!). And I now have faculty asking to collaborate with me from multiple institutions. This is after a first place win at the national conference in my specialty. Intrinsic motivation - i.e. doing what you genuinely enjoy - is crucial. Everything else is a waste of time.

I'm pro IMG's. Our system treats them absurdly - much more than any other country out there. As a Canadian grad, I simply don't believe our education is that much better than the rest of the developed world (although definitely better than the third world). It is very difficult for me to accept that countries with superior healthcare systems are somehow producing inferior doctors. Sounds more like something we would tell ourselves to preserve our jobs and income rather than a statement based on fact. https://interactives.commonwealthfund.org/2017/july/mirror-mirror/