IMG Rural Vancouver Island

I welcome your exploration into the Rural Vancouver Island IMG Residency program.

As Director, and an International Medical Graduate (IMG) myself, I am familiar with the arduous process of obtaining a residency in Canada, and familiar with the unique skills, attributes, and wide experience that IMG’s bring to Canada. We will encourage you to share your knowledge and experience from other locations, while assisting you to grow into your new role in a BC community.

Vancouver Island was my destination of choice following Family Practice Residency in Canada, based on its mild winters, exciting outdoor adventure opportunities, unparalleled scenery, schools, culture, and wonderful community life. It is our hope that your residency here will enrich both yourself and communities on Vancouver Island.

The Rural Vancouver Island IMG Residency Program is new, this year only admitting 4 applicants, but will grow by approximately 4 residents per year. Despite the infancy of our residency site, we build upon the well-established strengths of the UBC Vancouver IMG program, and the Vancouver Island Aboriginal program. Our Rural Residency program will be supported, and embedded within the very experienced Victoria site Residency Program, drawing fully on expertise from UBC faculty in Victoria, and elsewhere on the island.

This program is only open to IMG’s who have been assessed in the BC IMG Assessment program.

First year residency will be in Victoria, benefiting from the large patient volume and acuity found in a larger centre. We utilize the Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and community-based learning in preceptors offices. Rotations will be very similar to that used by local graduates in Victoria, however there will emphasis placed on ensuring that IMG’s become fully immersed in the Canadian medical system. A carefully designed orientation period, lasting four weeks, precedes all other rotations. Preceptors and faculty have been selected to ensure sensitivity and expertise in training IMG’s. Broad planning and discussion has gone into second year placements in smaller communities, guaranteeing that preceptors and administrators are apprised of the unique attributes of IMG's.

The second year of residency will be in Courtney, Comox, Powell River, Campbell River, or other smaller rural town on Vancouver Island. Immersion in community life, and learning skills for rural practice, will be key elements in this second year. Second year residents will maintain strong contact with the Victoria site through videoconferencing, teleconferencing, especially with respect to academic half days. It is anticipated that each IMG will be matched with a Canadian graduate resident, while on rotation in the second year. Whilst emphasising rural practice in the second year, we will not lose sight of the overall goals of the Family Medicine curriculum, preparing all candidates for success in the CCFP examination.

The Rural IMG Family Practice residency program follows a “return for service” concept, such that the successful IMG resident will be expected to give back two years of service to a Vancouver Island community. Having made the choice myself to stay on Vancouver Island, I am confident you will find this a happy choice to make!

Site Director
Rural Vancouver Island Site