An examination of entrance criteria for international medical graduates (IMGs) into Canadian psychiatry residency programs

Authors

  • Ashok Soma St. George's University, NY, US
  • Matthew Myatt Alliston Family Health Team, ON, CAN
  • Mario McKenna Vancouver Coastal Health, BC, CAN
  • Soma Ganesan Vancouver Coastal Health , BC, CAN
  • Ka Wai Leung Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36769

Keywords:

International Medical School Graduate, Residency, Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: Although international medical graduates (IMGs) are essential in health care service delivery, a gap exists in the literature about how IMGs are selected into psychiatry residency programs in Canada. The purpose of this study was to identify the relative weight or importance that Canadian program directors (PDs) of psychiatry place on certain selection criteria when matching IMGs into residency programs.

Methods: We electronically distributed a web-based questionnaire to 16 university residency program directors of psychiatry in Canada. Program Directors were asked to rate the importance of 43 selection criteria using 5-point Likert Scales. Criteria were grouped into six domains: academic criteria, extracurricular activities, supporting information, behavioural issues of concern, medical school country, and other education. Mean total values for each set of criteria were calculated and used to create rank orders within each domain.

Results: Eight out of 16 program directors responded. Our analysis indicated that academics and behavioral issues of concern were the most important selection criteria.

Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insight about the perspectives of Program Directors toward IMGs who apply for psychiatry residency programs in Canada. Further studies are needed to better understand which criteria contribute to IMGs’ performances as psychiatric residents.

Author Biographies

  • Ashok Soma, St. George's University, NY, US
    Medical Student
  • Matthew Myatt, Alliston Family Health Team, ON, CAN
    Physician
  • Mario McKenna, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC, CAN
    Research Facilitator
  • Soma Ganesan, Vancouver Coastal Health , BC, CAN

    Head & Medical Director, Department of Psychiatry

    Vancouver Acute, Vancouver Community & Tertiary Mental Health

    Director, Cross Cultural Program

    Vancouver Coastal Health, BC, CAN

  • Ka Wai Leung, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

    Program Evaluation Associate

    Department of Psychiatry, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC, CAN

    Research Pavilion

    828 West 10th Avenue

    Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L8

    Tel: 604-875-4111 Ext 62410

    Fax: 604-675-2472

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Published

2017-02-24

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Original Research

License

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