What does it take to work as a foreign-trained physician in Canada?

Ontario’s health minister wants regulators to figure out a way to expedite the licensing of internationally trained doctors and nurses to help staff the province’s ICUs, ERs and long-term care facilities. She hasn’t said much about how, but it’s a first step.

We’re joined today by Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan, an assistant professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and an internationally recognized leader in global health training, research and education. Dr. Bhuiyan walks us through the cumbersome and expensive process that some foreign-trained physicians need to go through to be able to practice in Canada.

“Let’s work together to create a level playing field for all, so that Canadians will get the service that they need, the internationally-trained physicians will get the jobs their seeking, and the health care leaders and politicians can say, ‘we did it’,” he said. “It’s a win, win situation.”

While emergency rooms cut back hours or close due to lack of personnel, there are thousands of people who would like to work in the province’s hospitals, but can’t. Why is that? Other countries have figured this out, why can’t we?

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