Internationally trained physicians speak out against high school requirement

The provincial government is being accused of making it harder for internationally-trained doctors to work in Ontario.

The province requires at least two years of Ontario high school to be eligible for International Medical Graduate positions.

Dr. Modupe Tunde-Biars calls the policy shortsighted.

“We should be open doors for qualified doctors, not closing them,” Dr. Tunde-Biars.

“We should be removing barriers, not creating new ones. Ontario cannot afford to turn away people who are ready and willing to serve. The health of our province is at stake.”

Dr. Tunde-Biars says it will also reduce the number of family doctors entering the system at a time when every community is pleading for help, especially in small, rural and northern communities.

Dr. Evonemo Esievoadje, a recent graduate, says the pathway for most international medical graduates is already long, stressful and uncertain.

She says the policy closes doors on future grads.

“It pushes away highly skilled physicians who could be your family doctor tomorrow,” said Dr. Esievoadje.

Dr. Amar Rashid is an internationally trained physician from Pakistan who has worked in Ontario for the past eight years.

He says the residency system needs a revamp, but the province’s rule is taking the province backward.

“The requirement of two years of Ontario High School has nothing to do with medical competence. It is discriminatory,” says Dr. Rashid.

“It is harmful to patients who need more doctors, not fewer.”

Dr. Felipe Santos is an internationally trained anesthesiologist who has also practiced in Ontario for eight years and consults international physicians looking to work in Canada.

He says the province needs them to fulfill its primary care objectives.

“Ontario cannot connect each Ontarian to a family doctor without internationally trained physicians,” says Dr. Santos.

“In a global shortage of physicians, other provinces and the U.S. are welcoming these doctors with open arms. The policy here is turning away the very physicians Ontario needs.”

He adds Alberta also requires two years of high school attendance, but also accepts two years of full-time attendance at a post-secondary institution or having lived in Alberta for 24 weeks.

British Columbia allows any doctor holding medical coverage from the province to be eligible to apply for residency.