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| NMO name | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Location | 
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| Participating cities (LC's) |
Vancouver - University of British Columbia Edmonton - University of Alberta Calgary - University of Calgary Saskatoon - University of Saskatchewan Winnipeg - University of Manitoba Thunder Bay/Sudbury - Northern Ontario School of Medicine London - University of Western Ontario Hamilton - McMaster University Toronto - University of Toronto | |||
| Languages | English | |||
| Currency (how much is a Bigmac?) | Canadian Dollars. | |||
| Time zone | Various. Ranges from Pacific to Atlantic | |||
| Number of Doctors and beds per 1000 people | Enter numbers | |||
| Member of IFMSA since... | 1980 | |||
| Number of incoming students per year | 80 | |||
| Our NEO/NOREs | Alison Lee (outgoing) & Theresa Lee (incoming) | |||
| Our official website / Forum / Facebook group | CFMS Website | |||
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Contents |
Our health care system
Health care in Canada is delivered through a publicly-funded health care system under the provisions of the Canadian Health Act (CHA). Medicare policies for each province differ slightly. Each province is in control of their own health care system, with the government providing the majority of the funding, provided that the provinces follow the guidelines outlined in the CHA. Some services are not covered or not completely covered by Medicare, such as much of dentistry and some medications.
Key features of the CHA
1. Public administration - The health insurance plans must be "administered and operated on a non-profit basis by a public authority, responsible to the provincial/territorial governments and subject to audits of their accounts and financial transactions." (Section 8).
2. Comprehensiveness - The health care insurance plans must cover "all insured health services provided by hospitals, medical practitioners or dentists" (Section 9).
3. Universality - All insured persons must be covered for insured health services "provided for by the plan on uniform terms and conditions" (Section 10).
4. Portability - Because plans are organized on a provincial basis, provisions are required for covering individuals who are in another province. The conditions attempt to separate temporary from more permanent absences by using three months as the maximum cut-off. As the above-mentioned summary clarifies, "Residents moving from one province or territory to another must continue to be covered for insured health care services by the "home" province during any minimum waiting period, not to exceed three months, imposed by the new province of residence. After the waiting period, the new province or territory of residence assumes health care coverage."
5. Accessibility - the insurance plan must provide for "reasonable access" to insured services by insured persons, "on uniform terms and conditions, unprecluded, unimpeded, either directly or indirectly, by charges (user charges or extra-billing) or other means (age, health status or financial circumstances);" (Section 12.a). This section also provides for "reasonable compensation for...services rendered by medical practitioners or dentists" and payments to hospitals that cover the cost of the health services provided. Note that neither reasonable access nor reasonable compensation are defined by the CHA, although there is a presupposition that certain processes (e.g., negotiations between the provincial governments and organizations representing the providers) satisfy the condition. The CHA allows for dollar-for-dollar withholding of contributions from any provinces allowing user charges or extra-billing to insured persons for insured services.
The hospitals
People you are likely to work with:
During your exposure, you may work with clerk, residents, fellows, and attending physicians. Clerks are 3rd or 4th year medical student. Residents having graduated from medical school, and are undergoing in field training in their chosen specialization to get licensed. After graduating from residency, physician can choose to pursue further specialization in a fellowship program. Attendings are physicians who have completely their post-graduation training (residency with or without fellowship).
Working Conditions:
Usually 6-10 hours per day, Monday to Friday, for the full 4 weeks. Some departments may require students to do shift work (night and day shifts), with sufficient time off to rest.
Specific information relating to working conditions is usually sent directly to students by the respective departments prior to arrival. Students are mandated to familiarize themselves with the material provided by departments and comply to any additional instructions prior to their arrival.
Our medical education
There are 17 medical schools across Canada. Entrance requirements for each school differ slightly, but all schools require a minimal of 3 equivalent years of undergraduate study with prerequisites in English and the life sciences. Selection of students into medical school depends on their interview, undergraduate marks, and their score on the standardized test, MCAT (standardized in all of North America). The average entrance age to medical school is between 22 – 24 years old.
Our medical education programs are mostly 4 years long (with summer breaks), except for programs offered by University of Calgary and McMaster that are 3 years long (they don’t take summer breaks).
After we graduate from Medical school, we receive our medical doctoral degree but are not licensed to practice until we go through residence, which depending on the specialty, will take between 2 (general practitioner) to 5 (everything else) years.
Cultural differences
Where our neighbours down south think of themselves as a melting pot, we Canadians pride ourselves on our multiculturalism. No matter where in the world you are from, it is highly likely that you’ll find in the city of your exchange your own culture community. This means not only will you be able to enjoy a piece of home but also if you choose, you can meet many people from vastly different cultural backgrounds. It is an exciting opportunity that will not be offered anywhere else.
Accommodation & Boarding
In bilateral exchanges, lodging will be provided free of charge. You will stay in accommodation provided by your counterpart (Canadian medical student), who are currently on a bilateral exchange or have gone on a bilateral exchange. Sometimes students are placed in apartments or other student accommodations. These processes will be coordinated by the LEO of the province you are exchanging to. Accommodation is provided for 4-weeks only. If the student will be staying longer, they are responsible for their own accommodation.
BOARD IS NOT INCLUDED. $100 pocket money is given instead.
Social program
Social programs are arranged by local committees. Students are expected to be independent. Canada is in a unique situation in that we do not have as many international students in the same city at the same time and a great geographical distance separates most local committees. As such, it is difficult to organize elaborate social programs.
Pocket money: $100CAD provided by LEO on arrival.
Local & National transportation
Local transportation depends on the city you are exchanged to:
Cities Transit Websites:
Calgary http://www.calgarytransit.com/index.html
Edmonton http://www.edmonton.ca/default.aspx
Halifax http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/
Hamilton http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/CityServices/transit
Kingston http://www.cityofkingston.ca/index.asp
London http://www.ltconline.ca/index.htm
Ottawa http://www.octranspo.com/
Saskatoon http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Utility%20Services/Saskatoon%20Transit/Pages/default.aspx
St. John’s http://www.saintjohntransit.com/
Toronto http://www3.ttc.ca/
Vancouver http://www.translink.ca/en.aspx
Winnipeg http://myride.winnipegtransit.com/en/
Students can cross Canada by either bus, train, or plane (based on your preference and financial abilities).
Weather
Geologically, Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world, thus, weather can understandably be variable. The following is a good website to get a general idea of what the weather would be like in the location of your exchange.
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/
Social life
Every city has a different social life. Please review the LC pages for further information.
Exchange conditions
In case of discrepancies between this and conditions listed on the IFMSA databased, those on the database shall prevail. Please refer to official IFMSA exchange conditions : http://ifmsa.net/public/ecscope.php?id=66
Research Exchange : Exchange Conditions of CFMS(Canada) Deadline for application (months in advance) 6 Documents required Reference letter from faculty member Letter of motivation for each project Curriculum Vitae 1 passport-size photo English Language Certificate Proof of health insurance and malpractice insurance if the student will be working in the hospital
- All student doing electives in hospital environment MUST complete a physical examination by a Canadian embassy recognized physician BEFORE their arrival to Canada for Visa requirements***
If students will be working in the hospital environment, they are required to obtain a work permit exempt Visa, under the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Regulation R186(p) and must complete a medical examination by a physician recognized by the Canadian embassy, under the Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Regulation R30.
Visa requirements are solely the responsibility of students. A tourist visa is acceptable if not working in the hospital environment. Please enquire with NORE/LORE if unsure. Digital documents required
Canada-CFMS exchange application and document submission: 1) Canada-CFMS must receive the application form 6 months prior to the start of the exchange.
2) Within 2 weeks, Canada-CFMS will notify your student that we will be forwarding their application to a specific university. We will also send your students a link to all the forms/documents that the university requires
3) The student will have 4 weeks to submit the documents required by the University back to Canada-CFMS.
4) We will forward the documents to the University.
5) Student will ideally be accepted and then Canada-CFMS can send out a card of acceptance. If all works out well, this will be much earlier than the standard 8 weeks.
6) Student goes on exchange!
All documents are to be submitted electronically as a high resolution pdf document to exchange@cfms.org
Incoming exchange student must be prepared to provide proof of malpractice/liability insurance up to $5 million CAD if working within a hospital environment. Available Universities / Cities for Incoming Students Northern Ontairo School of Medicine (Sudbury) Northern Ontario School of Medicine (Thunder Bay) Ontario Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario) University of Alberta (Alberta) University of British Columbia (British Columbia) University of Manitoba (Winnipeg) University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Ontario) University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) University of Toronto (Toronto) University of Western Ontario (London (Ontario)) Periods for each Univeristy/City Contracts with your NMO may have been signed for specific cities or specific criteria. Enquire with your NEO to clarify which city you are eligible for before selecting any city in your application form.
The time frame for exchanges must start on the first of the month. To repeat, Students must have their start date on the 1st of the month.
Summer is strongly preferred as accommodations are limited outside the summer months. Although some projects are available year round.
Please do not pick projects based on cities.