IMG OBSERVERSHIP PROJECT

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IMG OBSERVERSHIP PROJECT

• 2008/09

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Agenda June 25, 2008

• Objectives
• What is an Observership
• Benefits of Observerships
• Usual Terms
• Observership Eligibility Requirements
• From Sponsoring Doctors
• Regarding IMGs
• Matching/Screening
• Possible Process
• Applications
• Sample Letter
• Next Steps

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What is an Observership?

• An observership is a period of time spent
• observing clinical practice with no patient
  contact
•     Normally lasts between one week to a month
•     No service commitment or salary
•     Non-accredited
•     Linked with a supervising doctor
•     No patient contact
•     No responsibility for the patient
•     Learn by observing

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Benefits of Observerships

• Exposure to the Canadian medical system
• Networking with medical community
• Letter of reference often provided by supervising
  physician
• While observerships are not often readily
  available in Canada, it is useful to IMGs to have
  first hand contact with the Canadian medical
  system as a way of becoming more familiar with
  the Canadian medical setting
• CaRMS Criteria
• Letters from Canadian Physicians

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Usual Terms

• A doctor must accept to be the physician who is
  responsible for the observer.
• The patient must clearly understand who the
  observer is, as well as their reasons for
  attending, and be provided with the option of not
  having the observer in the room.
• The physician must introduce the observer to the
  patient as a visitor/ IMG/ medical student.
• The physician must obtain the permission of the
  patient to allow the observer to remain on
  site/in examination room.
• The acceptance does not need to be signed a
  verbal contract is permitted.
• If the supervising physician permits, the
  observer can ask questions, and the patient may
  or may not answer them.
• The observer must never be left alone in the room
  with the patient.
• There is no contact between the observer and the
  patient, (i.e., the observer must not touch the
  patient.)
• At the end of the interview and examination, the
  physician must enter into the medical chart that
  there was an observer present, and that the
  patient gave permission for the observer to
  remain in the room.

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Information Requirements

• Questions for practicing doctors who will provide
  the observership
• (There will be an application for the doctors to
  complete) attached
• How many hours can they provide/week? Which
  hours/which day(s)
• How many weeks are they willing to provide this?
• That there would be no fees charged to the IMG
• That they will consider providing a reference for
  the IMG at the end of the observership (Draft
  letter to be provided)
• Do they feel comfortable with these conditions?
  If not how would they alter their observership
  arrangement?
• Questions for IMGs being screened for
  observership
• (There will be an application for IMGs to
  complete) attached
• Expectations Why they want the observership
  what they want to get out of the observership?
• Do they feel comfortable with the conditions
  (above) will they stay within this role?
• What exams have they passed? Provide proof.
• What programs have they applied for? In what
  specialty?
• What is their background (where trained,
  specialty, years of experience, how long in
  Canada)?
• Languages Level of English language fluency
  (oral, written) - have they taken TOEFL, TSE? Met
  CEHPEA criteria? Other languages?
• Have they had any experience with the Canadian
  healthcare system (paid /volunteer, work)?
• How flexible are they time-wise?

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Matching/Screening

• Choose IMGs who have passed the MCCQE1, MCCEE and
  CE (minimum requirement)
• Strong English communication skills ( Passed
  TOEFL/TSE)
• Organized, understand the process for licensure
• Display professionalism

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Possible Process

• Distribute information on observerships to health
  centres/physicians. May wish to have information
  session for both groups individually.
• Hand out information sheet on observerships to
  IMGs. Have IMGs fill out questionnaire.
• Screen based on decided upon criteria.  Keep a
  waiting list of others.
• Arrange a meeting between the IMG and doctor.
  Have them sign an informal agreement.
• When observership is finished, obtain feedback
  from IMG and Canadian physician regarding
  program.
• Actively pursue more doctors to take on
  observerships based on the momentum and
  experience of the first ones.

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Application for Observership-International
Medical Graduates

• Last Name First Name
• Address
• Phone Email
• TOEFL/ILETS/TSE Score Date Completed
• MCCQE1 Final Score Date Completed
• MCCEE Final Score Date Completed
• OSCE (CE) Final Score Date Completed
• Status in Canada?
• Any additional languages?
• Current Police Check (within last six months
  please attach)
• Curriculum Vitae (please attach)
• Have you completed a previous Canadian
  Observership? When? Where?
• Have you ever had any disciplinary action/License
  revoked in any jurisdiction?
• Have you ever had done a residency or part of a
  residency (eg AVP) in Canada)
• What hours/days are you available?
• Why do you want an Observership?
• What do you hope to gain from an Observership?
• What programs have you/will you apply for? What
  specialty?

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Terms of Observership

• A doctor must accept to be the physician who is
  responsible for the observer.
• The patient must clearly understand who the
  observer is, as well as their reasons for
  attending, and be provided with the option of not
  having the observer in the room.
• The physician must introduce the observer to the
  patient as a visitor/ IMG/ medical student.
• The physician must obtain the permission of the
  patient to allow the observer to remain on
  site/in examination room.
• The acceptance does not need to be signed a
  verbal contract is permitted.
• If the supervising physician permits, the
  observer can ask questions, and the patient may
  or may not answer them.
• The observer must never be left alone in the room
  with the patient.
• There is no contact between the observer and the
  patient, (i.e., the observer must not touch the
  patient.)
• At the end of the interview and examination, the
  physician must enter into the medical chart that
  there was an observer present, and that the
  patient gave permission for the observer to
  remain in the room.
• My signature will confirm acceptance of the above
  terms
• Signature Date

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Application for Observership-Practicing
Physicians-Hamilton

• Last Name First Name
• Contact Address
• Phone Email
• Have you participated in a previous
  Observership?
• How many hours per week would you be willing to
  provide?
• What days/hours would you be willing to provide?
• How many weeks would you be willing to provide?
• Will you consider providing a reference for the
  IMG at the end of the Observership? (Sample
  letter to be provided)
• Any additional information you would like to
  provide to assist with the matching?

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Terms of Observership

• A doctor must accept to be the physician who is
  responsible for the observer.
• The patient must clearly understand who the
  observer is, as well as their reasons for
  attending, and be provided with the option of not
  having the observer in the room.
• The physician must introduce the observer to the
  patient as a visitor/ IMG/ medical student.
• The physician must obtain the permission of the
  patient to allow the observer to remain on
  site/in examination room.
• The acceptance does not need to be signed a
  verbal contract is permitted.
• If the supervising physician permits, the
  observer can ask questions, and the patient may
  or may not answer them.
• The observer must never be left alone in the room
  with the patient.
• There is no contact between the observer and the
  patient, (i.e., the observer must not touch the
  patient.)
• At the end of the interview and examination, the
  physician must enter into the medical chart that
  there was an observer present, and that the
  patient gave permission for the observer to
  remain in the room. (Sticker provided)
• There will be no fees charged to the observer.
• See CPSO Website for shadowing policy.
  www.cpso.on.ca/Policies/Shadow.htm
• My signature will confirm acceptance of the above
  terms
• Signature Date

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Sample Letter

• On letterhead
• Date
• TO.
• REFERENCE LETTER FOR ________________
• ______did an observership with me during the
  period ________to _________ for_____hours per
  week.
• As specified by the CPSO requirements for an
  observership, the candidate had no clinical
  contact with a patient and was
• never alone in the room with a patient.
• Comment on Punctuality
• Professional behaviour
• Interaction with office
  staff
• Respectfulness with
  patients and staff
• Knowledge base
• English language skills
  spoken and if applicable, written
• Communication skills with
  patients and office staff
• Patient centred approach
• Self- directed learning
  eg reading up about cases and doing assigned
  reading for next session
• Whether you can recommend
  the candidate for a residency in __________

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Next Steps

• Where do IMGs go?
• Complete application on McMaster website
• Submit completed applications to SISO
• Where do Practicing Physicians go?
• Complete application provided today give to
• Inge or go to McMaster website and fax or
• mail to SISO

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Questions/Comments