MD SHORTAGE IN CANADA

I HAVE TWO PATIENTS WHO ARE IMMIGRANT MD'S. NEITHER CAN PRACTICE AND THEY ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT FINANCIALLY AND PRACTICALLY , TO QUALIFY..CAN WE DO SOMETHING .... ?

MD SHORTAGE IN CANADA WHILE IMMIGRANT MD’S DRIVE CABS
Is it just me or does this make no sense? With the advent of the internet people across the globe can be brought up to date almost instantly. I am a member of a dental forum from India; these people are doing what we do. The same applies to the medical world.

I have two patients in my practice who are young qualified MD’s. Both have told me the time and expense to qualify makes it all but impossible to get certification. Across the hall in the medical lab a fellowship certified gynecologist / obstetrician from Pakistan is taking blood samples. She has a friend who works as a clerk in Value Village. My wife's dermatologist has a secrretary who is an MD. I have been told there are cabbies in Ottawa with foreign MD qualifications.

Can we do anything? If anyone reading this has experienced problems in a crowded emergency ward or has had difficulty getting a family physician there is, in fact ,a lot we can do.

I have prepared what I have called "A Medical Plan". It outlines the problems, the situation , the immigrant MD experience and the steps that can be investigated and the measures to follow up. I have sent copies to the media, to politicians, to the medical community, to acquaintances and to friends. So far the interest among the politicians has been verging on silence. There have been a few replies from the academic community.

If you would like a copy drop me a line and I will e-mail an attachment. If this subject affects or interests you please pass it on to the type of individuals I have been sending this to.

The world is becoming more competitive for skilled people. No longer can Canada smugly sit back and expect these qualified professionals to take a back seat.

mila-mikepilon@sympatico.ca is my e-mail address…..

I have received dozens of replies to this letter I sent to the Ottawa citizen. some describe their own frustrations at not being able to practice a profession Canada needs. Others have told me of a lack of action of people supposedly in positions of responsibility who have shown little will to get involved. Please forward this link to any friends who might be interested . Canada is losing out we can and should do something....go for it

Simple plan could let Canada use immigrants' MD skills

The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Thursday, May 10, 2007

In my dental practice, I have two patients who are immigrants with qualifications as medical doctors. But they cannot practise in Canada. I know of a medical lab technician who is qualified as a gynecologist/obstetrician from Pakistan. I have recently heard of MDs driving taxis and working in second-hand clothing shops in Ottawa.

I have drawn up a proposal that would have immigrant MDs train in university medical faculties with government subsidization, and repay this subsidy by working in emergency wards for a set period after certification. The proposal is a no-lose situation. We have a medical shortage that will soon reach crisis proportions; bringing trained MDs online will help this.

With instant communications worldwide, MDs trained abroad are no longer in the Dark Ages. Such a program would also help attract trained MDs and, with some lateral thinking, our politicians could expand this to other skills Canada needs.

I have sent a well-documented brief of my proposal to politicians, universities, medical groups and the media. I have had barely a response -- more along the lines of "that's not our job." Surprisingly, on Tuesday night I got a very positive and encouraging response from the Alberta Ministry of Health and I intend to follow this up.

If anyone is interested in receiving an e-mail of my medical proposal, I can be contacted at mila-mikepilon@sympatico.ca . Perhaps interest and pressure from ordinary Canadians might awaken a few people who could do something.

Michael Pilon,

Ottawa