Presenter:
Charlotte Humphries
Authors:
Charlotte Humphries, Madison Estrella, Steph Din, Steven Yau, Vernon Curran
Poster Abstract:
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) comprise a large proportion of the rural physician workforce in Canada. The recruitment of IMGs has been a common strategy for many years to address the shortage of physicians in rural communities across the country. Evidence suggests that certain types of CPD can have a positive effect on physician confidence, competency, and perceptions of professional isolation. However, little research has been conducted on the particular impact of CPD access and participation on the retention of rural physicians, and more specifically, rural IMGs. Our study comprises a mixed methods study examining retention and CPD participation data, along with semi-structured interviews. Ministry of Health retention data and UBC CPD registration data dating back to 2015 will be compared. Duration of retention and demographic characteristics associated with rural CPD access and participation will also be analyzed. Overall, this study seeks to explore the potential connection between rural CPD access and participation, retention of IMGs, and ways in which CPD providers can better support rural IMGs and their contributions to a sustainable rural healthcare system.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize the role of rural-oriented CPD programming in supporting the rural medical workforce in BC.
2. Describe the nature of rural-oriented CPD programming and how it supports the transition and professional development of rural IMGs for practice in Canada.
3.Discuss the role of rural-oriented CPD programming, including the BC-PIP program, in addressing professional isolation and supporting rural IMGs in rural practice.
Keywords: IMGs, rural medicine, CPD
