Physicians

These diagrams show the Pathways to Licensure for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with education, training and experience in Family and Specialty Medicine. These documents have been reviewed and approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.

Download the Family Physician Pathway to Licensure PDF

Download the Specialist Physician Pathway to Licensure PDF

The International Medical Graduates (IMG) Bridging Program

• The IMG Bridging Program offers a number of programs, services, and resources to support IMGs entry into the Canadian healthcare system
• This program offers informational, learning, and other types of support to over 150 IMGs in Nova Scotia.
• The services are offered at no cost
• Participation is open to IMGs who live in Nova Scotia and are registered with ISIS. Please contact your Employment Specialist at ISIS for further information.

ISIS offers:

• Communication for Healthcare Professionals – see course description below
• Pathways to Licensure
• Access to learning resources
• Employment Counselling
• Pre-employment workshops on-site and online
• Professional Mentors

If you are not registered with ISIS, please contact ISIS to register at (902) 423-3607.

 

Study Groups

Study Groups assist IMGs in preparing for the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCC EE), Qualifying Examination Part I (QE I), Qualifying Examination Part II (QE II) and the National Assessment Collaboration Objective Structured Clinical Examination (NAC OSCE). The aim of the study groups is to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment in which Canadian medical content can be explored, discussed, and modeled.

Participating in study groups will allow you to develop a network of peers, feel connected and expose you to various supports and resources that can help you achieve your goal.

• MCCEE/MCCQE1 Study Group: IMGs who are preparing for MCCQEE or MCCQE2 practice the multiple-choice questions and Clinical Decision Making (CDM) cases during these Weekly evening sessions.
• NAC/ MCCQE2 Study Group: IMGs who are preparing for any MCCQE2 or NAC practice different case scenarios during these Thursday evening sessions.

IMGs’ Clinical Skills Review Program

This onsite program at ISIS is developed and offered with the generous support of Dalhousie Medical School Learning Resource Centre (LRC) and a group of dedicated faculty members who volunteer their valuable time with ISIS. The program aims to increase IMGs’ knowledge of the culture and structure of the Canadian healthcare system and to improve their professional communication skills.

This program is offered twice a year. Each course consists of 12-15 facilitated evening sessions and 2-3 mock OSCEs. IMGs will have the opportunity to practice with trained simulated patients and receive constructive feedback from facilitators.

Educational Sessions

• August 20 – Orientation to The Canadian Resident Matching Service( CaRMS)for IMGs (Registration is required)

Observerships for IMGS in Family Physicians’ Clinic

The Observership in Family Physicians’ Clinic is a volunteer arrangement between an IMG Observer and a Supervising Family Physician, designed to expose IMGs to clinical practice.  It is based on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS) program with its associated policies and procedures. The time frame may be determined and approved according to the needs of the Observer and the availability of the Supervising Physician. Observerships generally last between one and three months with the IMG attending 1 – 2 days a week. IMGs that have passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCC EE) are eligible to apply for this program.

IMG Onsite Resources

IMG Onsite Resource Library

IMG Online Resources

• IMG Newsletters and Fact Sheets
• IMG e-library
• Doctors Nova Scotia Bookshelf (accessible at ISIS computer lab by appointments)
• Online question bank membership (only accessible to study group participants)

Additional Supports Available for IMGs at ISIS

• Employment counselling and career coaching
• Communication for Healthcare Professionals