If you are an international practising physician, Canada is a great country to work, live and raise a family. With supportive practice opportunities, world-class universal healthcare and high quality of life, Canada is rising to the top of the list for international doctors looking to build meaningful careers and fulfilling lives.
Here are just a few reasons why Canada could be the right move for you:
Canada Needs More Doctors
The population growth of Canada continues to outpace the supply of doctors. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) reports that more than one in five adults, or approximately 6.5 million Canadians, do not have access to a family doctor, a number that is only forecasted to grow. The government of Canada’s outlook is for a strong risk of labour shortage of medical doctors from 2024-2033.
International Doctors Are Welcome
According to the latest report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), 32% of family practitioners and 26% of medical specialists are international medical graduates (IMGs). Family doctors from India, South Africa, the UK and the United States make up the majority of doctors coming from outside of Canada.
Due to the overall shortage of physicians, more efforts are being made to recruit international doctors and make it easier for them to practise in Canada. While the licensing process in Canada requires time and preparation, pathways for IMGs continue to evolve, with many provinces working to streamline the recognition of international training and experience.
The most common method for physicians who want to permanently relocate to Canada is through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, there are a number of organizations that support IMGs, including Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC), Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA), Health Force Ontario (HFO) and Nova Scotia Health.
High Quality of Life
Canada is widely known for its standard of living, inclusiveness and multiculturalism. It offers some of the highest quality of life across the globe, consistently ranking as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
The diversity of Canada’s landscapes and population, and other factors such as career satisfaction, community support and government assistance, have also made Canada one of the happiest countries in the world.
Canadian cities enjoy historically low rates of violence and crime and the stereotype of the typically easygoing and apologetic Canadian make it actually one of the world’s friendliest countries.
Excellent Earning Potential
Depending on what kind of medicine you practise and what part of the world you are coming from, you could potentially earn more as a doctor in Canada than you could anywhere else.
With Canada’s universal healthcare system, also called a single-payer system, doctors bill their services to the provincial health authorities at standardized rates. Thus each medical specialization and individual practitioner earn different annual salaries depending on the cost of each procedure and the number of patients they see.
The average gross payment for a family physician is $324,000, whereas medical specialists and surgical specialists earn $406,000 and $556,000 respectively. Canadian doctors also benefit from lower insurance and operational costs.
Universal Healthcare
Canada consistently ranks among the top healthcare systems worldwide. Physicians have access to advanced medical technologies, strong hospital networks and collaborative clinical environments.
The publicly funded healthcare system also allows physicians to focus on patient care rather than financial barriers to treatment. Patients do not need to have private insurance to see a doctor so you’ll never be in the position of turning away a patient who is unable to pay.
World Class Education
With more than half of its citizens completing some post-secondary education, a recent survey lists Canada as one of the most educated countries in the world. In addition, more than 20 universities across Canada rank in the top 3% in the world.
In Conclusion
The shortage of doctors, particularly in family medicine, rural and remote communities, and growing urban populations, translates into stable employment opportunities, competitive compensation and demand for international physicians.
Plus, with its high standard of living and safety rankings, multicultural communities and excellent healthcare and education systems, Canada is a wonderful place to work, raise a family, build a future… and call home.
This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.
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