Canada has a doctor shortage, while thousands of foreign-trained physicians living here still face barriers

Internationally Trained Doctors Face Challenges Working in Canada

Ismelda Ramirez never imagined that she would trade in her white doctor’s coat for a McDonald’s uniform. After training as a family doctor in the Dominican Republic, she found herself working at a fast-food chain for eight months upon moving to Quebec in 2022. Ramirez is just one of thousands of internationally trained physicians (ITPs) living in Canada, the majority of whom are not practicing medicine, according to advocacy groups.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reports that over 6.5 million Canadians do not have access to a family doctor, a number that continues to rise. Dr. Joss Reimer, the president of CMA, attributes this shortage to burnout among physicians, an aging workforce, and a lack of opportunities for ITPs to practice medicine in Canada.

Navigating the complex process of obtaining a medical license in Canada poses a significant challenge for ITPs. Each of the 13 provinces and territories has its own licensing requirements, which can vary depending on where the international doctor received their training. The process often involves taking multiple exams, which can be costly and time-consuming.

In Quebec, the non-profit organization Les Anges de L’Espoir has worked with over 1,100 ITPs since 2016, with only 10% successfully obtaining their license. Executive director Marie Ange Jeudy emphasizes the socio-professional isolation experienced by many ITPs, despite their qualifications and willingness to contribute to the healthcare system.

One of the biggest hurdles for ITPs is securing a residency spot, where they can receive hands-on training in hospitals and clinics. Last year, only 671 ITPs were successful in obtaining a residency, compared to 2,936 graduates from Canadian medical schools. The limited number of residency spots, coupled with competition from Canadian students who studied abroad, creates a bottleneck for internationally trained doctors seeking to practice in Canada.

Provinces are exploring ways to streamline the licensing process for ITPs, including the introduction of Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) programs. These programs offer a faster pathway to obtaining a medical license by evaluating ITPs in a workplace-based clinical setting. However, there are challenges related to meeting the practice requirements, with some provinces requiring recent clinical experience in the past few years.

Despite these obstacles, ITPs like Oghenefego Akpomi and Ismelda Ramirez are determined to pursue their passion for medicine in Canada. Akpomi, a family doctor from Nigeria, has traveled back to her home country multiple times to maintain her recent medical experience. Ramirez, on the other hand, is working as a medical assistant in Quebec while awaiting a residency spot.

While the road to practicing medicine in Canada as an internationally trained doctor may be long and arduous, these individuals remain committed to their goal of serving the healthcare needs of Canadians. With ongoing efforts to streamline the licensing process and increase opportunities for ITPs, there is hope that more internationally trained physicians will be able to contribute their skills to the Canadian healthcare system in the future.