Ontario’s expedited licensing program for internationally-trained family doctors, Practice Ready Ontario, is gaining momentum after a slower-than-anticipated start. While the program initially aimed to license 50 doctors by the end of 2024, this target was not reached. However, the province has now set a more ambitious goal of licensing 100 internationally-trained primary care physicians by the end of 2025, effectively incorporating the initial target into the new objective. The program, a collaborative effort between the Ontario government, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and the non-profit organization Touchstone Institute, focuses on placing these doctors in underserved northern and rural communities experiencing physician shortages. This initiative addresses a critical need, as an estimated 2.5 million Ontarians lacked access to a family doctor as of July 2024, according to the Ontario College of Family Physicians.
The first cohort of 28 physicians licensed through the Practice Ready Ontario program has already begun practicing in communities like Sudbury, Goderich, and Huntsville under three-year contracts. These doctors represent a portion of the 191 initial applicants, of which 55 were deemed eligible to commence the licensing process. While 27 applicants either withdrew or did not fulfill the program’s requirements, the program continues to process subsequent cohorts, demonstrating ongoing efforts to recruit and license more international medical graduates. The program addresses previous calls from both the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Ontario College of Family Physicians for a faster pathway to licensure for internationally-trained doctors, aiming to expedite access to primary care for Ontarians. Touchstone Institute emphasizes the strategic placement of these physicians in areas with the greatest need, ensuring that underserved communities benefit from this influx of qualified medical professionals.
The Practice Ready Ontario program offers a significantly streamlined pathway to licensure compared to the traditional route. Typically, internationally-trained doctors would need to complete two years of family medicine residency training in Ontario to obtain a license. However, this program condenses the entire process to approximately nine months to a year, from application to licensing. This accelerated timeline involves a rigorous assessment process, including a 12-week supervised field assessment, ensuring that the physicians meet Canadian standards of practice. This supervised practice allows candidates to gain valuable Canadian work experience, working directly with licensed physicians and their patients. The program ensures patient safety and confirms the competency of internationally-trained physicians to practice family medicine in Ontario.
The field assessment component provides crucial exposure to the Canadian healthcare system. Internationally-trained physicians work in various settings, including family practices, emergency rooms, and sometimes long-term care facilities. They gain experience working within interprofessional teams, collaborating with nurses, social workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals. This collaborative experience prepares them for the realities of Canadian healthcare delivery. Furthermore, the program requires applicants to have at least four years of training and work experience in their home countries, and they undergo thorough reference and employment checks, ensuring that they bring a solid foundation of medical knowledge and experience to their practice in Ontario.
The program is yielding positive results in communities like Sudbury, which has successfully recruited four physicians from the first cohort and anticipates five more this spring. This influx of internationally-trained doctors is crucial for Sudbury, which faces increasing demand for family physicians due to population growth and the retirement of existing practitioners. Furthermore, it offers a significant solution to the lengthy and complex licensing process that has historically hindered internationally-trained doctors from practicing in Ontario. The program’s success in Sudbury underscores the effectiveness of this streamlined approach in addressing critical physician shortages. The new physicians are expected to provide care for almost 12,000 people, significantly impacting access to primary care in the community.
The program’s impact extends beyond simply filling vacant positions. Sudbury has strategically focused on creating an attractive and welcoming environment for these new physicians, recognizing the importance of retention alongside recruitment. Recognizing the multicultural and diverse nature of its community, Sudbury aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for internationally-trained doctors, contributing to their overall well-being and professional satisfaction. This approach aligns with broader efforts to attract and retain skilled immigrants, recognizing the valuable contributions they make to the community. Sudbury also emphasizes collaboration with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University, aiming to attract locally trained graduates to further bolster the physician workforce. This multifaceted approach underscores Sudbury’s commitment to securing sustainable healthcare resources for its residents.
