1. IMG OBSERVERSHIP PROJECT
2008/09
Settlement and Integration Services Organization
360 James St. N, Lower Concourse, Hamilton, ON, L8L 1H5
Tel: (905) (SISO) Toll Free: Fax: (905)
Website:
“for 2004 & 2006 Outstanding Business Achievement Award with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

2. Agenda June 25, 2008 Objectives What is an Observership
Benefits of Observerships
Usual Terms
Observership Eligibility Requirements
From Sponsoring Doctors
Regarding IMG’s
Matching/Screening
Possible Process
Applications
Sample Letter
Next Steps

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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 IMG’s 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?

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Application for Observership-International Medical Graduates
Last Name First Name
Address
Phone #
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?
Have you had any experience in the Canadian Healthcare system? (include paid/unpaid/volunteer)
When did you arrive in Canada?
When did you last practice medicine?

10. 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:

11. Application for Observership-Practicing Physicians-Hamilton
Last Name First Name
Contact Address
Phone #
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?

12. 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.
My signature will confirm acceptance of the above terms
Signature: Date:

13. 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 __________
NB PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF THIS LETTER THAT YOU CAN FAX AT A LATER DATE AGAIN IF THE CANDIDATE GETS ACCEPTED TO CARMS.IN THAT CASE THE CPSO WILL REQUEST A COPY OF THIS LETTER THAT HAS TO BE SENT DIRECTLY FROM YOUR OFFICE TO THE CPSO.

14. Next Steps Where do IMG’s 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

15. Questions/Comments