The Manitoba International Medical Graduate (IMG) Program was created in 2001 in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and Manitoba Health, with a mandate to increase the number of IMGs eligible to practice medicine, particularly in the underserviced rural regions of Manitoba. The IMG program runs competitive and merit-based programs for the orientation, assessment, and education/training of IMGs. The IMG Program aims to build an accessible, effective, and efficient comprehensive program through the University of Manitoba.

The Manitoba IMG Program’s Mission is to increase the number of IMGs eligible to work as licensed doctors in Manitoba by providing qualified IMGs access to postgraduate medical education and assessment in high-need specialties, as mandated by the Government of Manitoba through Manitoba Health.

Manitoba IMG Program Components

The IMG program began with a single program in 2001.  It currently has 5 programs which are:

1. Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG) – 2002-present

2. Assessment for Conditional Licensure (IMGACL) – 2007-present

3. Mentorship – 2007-present

4. Non-Registered Specialist Assessment Program (NRSAP) – 1999-present

5. Orientation – 2008-present

International medical education and health care systems in many other countries can vary significantly from Canada. It is important to assess the medical education of IMGs' in comparison to Canadian programs and their medical competencies in comparison to Canadian physicians.  

1. Manitoba has four pathways to licensure in medicine for IMG’s:

2. Medical licensure program for international medical graduates (MLPIMG) trains IMG’s to be licensed as a general physician in rural Manitoba

3. International medical graduate assessment for conditional licensure (IMGACL) assesses IMG’s so they may practice and become licensed as a general physician in rural Manitoba

4. Non-registered specialist assessment program (NRSAP) assess IMG’s so they may practice as a specialist in Manitoba and achieve licensure in Manitoba

5. Full residency through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMs), Canada’s national residency matching program, leading to certification as a specialist or family physician.

In addition to being successful in one of the above programs, IMGs must successfully complete the certification examinations of the Medical Council of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and/or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in a time frame mandated by the CPSM after commencing practice.

Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates (MLPIMG)

Introduction

The MLPIMG is a 1-year training program that enhances physicians’ international medical training and prepares them for medical licensure and practice as primary care physicians in underserviced areas of Manitoba.

Development of the MLPIMG was a cooperative effort of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM), the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine, and Manitoba Health, in consultation with other stakeholders. 

MLPIMG Admissions

From 2002 to 2010, the number of applications to the MLPIMG program has steadily increased from 4 at program inception to 225 in 2011. The maximum number of candidates the program can accept is limited and acceptance into the program has become more competitive as the number of applicants has increased (See Table below). Overall 20.8% of the 466 applicants were accepted between 2002 and 2010. 

      Year represents the start of the program
2009 had 1 withdrawal from the 20 who were accepted

Introduction

The IMGACL program provides doctors, who are considered practice-ready and have suitable postgraduate training and experience, an accelerated route to licensure.  It provides an expedient supply of doctors in rural Manitoba, where the shortage of doctors is greatest and the supply of Canadian-trained doctors has been unable to meet the need.

The IMG Program has directed the IMGACL since its inception in 2006; the first candidates entered the program in 2007. 

The admission and selection process was previously conducted through the Physician Resource Coordination Office (PRCO) at Manitoba Health from 2002-2009.  IMGACL is conducted through the IMG Program in parallel to the MLPIMG admission process beginning in 2010.

IMGACL has had the following number of candidates in the program:

• 177 candidates were interviewed from Dec 2006 to Feb 2010. 

• 91 candidates entered the program with an admission rate of 57%. 

• IMGACL instituted a new admission process for 2011 assessment year

• 73 candidates applied for the 2011 assessment year

• 5 applicants were admitted with an admission rate of 6.8% for the 2011 assessment year

Introduction

The Non-Registered Specialist Assessment Program (NRSAP), run by the IMG program, organizes and facilitates the clinical assessments of non-registered specialists to ensure they meet the requirements for licensure by the CPSM.  The NRSAP was developed by a working group with representatives from the departments of Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), CME, and representatives from each of the major postgraduate departments.

NRSAP Admission

The NRSAP, from program inception in 1999 to June 22^nd 2010, has had 51 candidates enter the program.