It is disturbing to know that most of the International Medical
Graduates (IMGs) in the UK who have spent a fortune on getting into the UK
and passing the PLAB are jobless. (1) However, the situation is even worse
for IMGs in Canada. In the province of Ontario, it is estimated that 43%
of IMGs who have passed the basic clinical competence exams that are
required for an entry level training position, are jobless and on average
have to spend 42% of their net annual family income to repeatedly
demonstrate their clinical competence by passing similar exams, in the
pursuit of a practice license. (2)
1. Ravichandran B. International medical graduates protest at UK visa
changes. BMJ 2006;332:989.
2. Sharieff W, Zakus D. Resource Utilization and Costs borne by
International Medical Graduates in their Pursuit for Practice License in
Ontario, Canada. Pak J Med Sci 2006;22(2):110-5. Available: www.pjms.com.pk (accessed May 6, 2006)
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
05 May 2006
Waseem Sharieff
Adjunct Faculty Member
Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto ON M5T 3M6
Rapid Response:
International Medical Graduates in Canada
It is disturbing to know that most of the International Medical
Graduates (IMGs) in the UK who have spent a fortune on getting into the UK
and passing the PLAB are jobless. (1) However, the situation is even worse
for IMGs in Canada. In the province of Ontario, it is estimated that 43%
of IMGs who have passed the basic clinical competence exams that are
required for an entry level training position, are jobless and on average
have to spend 42% of their net annual family income to repeatedly
demonstrate their clinical competence by passing similar exams, in the
pursuit of a practice license. (2)
1. Ravichandran B. International medical graduates protest at UK visa
changes. BMJ 2006;332:989.
2. Sharieff W, Zakus D. Resource Utilization and Costs borne by
International Medical Graduates in their Pursuit for Practice License in
Ontario, Canada. Pak J Med Sci 2006;22(2):110-5. Available:
www.pjms.com.pk (accessed May 6, 2006)
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests