Coming back to Canada....

[BStud]

Hi,

If anyone could help me with the following, or lead me in the right direction, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

I am not in medicine yet, but I am wondering. If I were to do a medical degree in Australia or the UK/Ireland, what exactly would I have to do to get back into Canada for a residency? And, how does this process differ, if I went to an American school? (btw, I am a Canadian citizen)

 

Thanks!

[Aesclepius]

Essentially, you will have to successfully complete your medical degree in Australia/UK/Ireland, and in September of your final year, write (and do well in) the MCCEE...this will qualify you to apply through CaRMS (Canadian Resident Matching Service) for the match...if you want to go to the States, you will have to write (and do well in) USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and CS (Clinical Skills) to obtain your ECFMG certificate (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) before you can apply for the American match, which many Canadians do as an alternative to trying to come back home..and the reason for this is that, as it stands now, you are REQUIRED to commit to a 5 YEAR RETURN OF SERVICE CONTRACT in the specialty that you match (in Ontario anyway) which is to be completed AFTER you complete residency....moreover, this must be done in AN AREA DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS UNDERSERVICED...which includes places like North Bay, Timmins, Sudbury, etc...if you are from one of these areas, and you are fine with working there for 5 years, by all means apply for Canada after you complete your overseas training...however, if you want some choice as to your future career options, you may want to look at going to the States (there's just more residencies available there)..in the end, it's a personal decision that many Canadians who have gone overseas are now struggling with!