₦airaland Forum

sboba:
Ok. @ Hestonap I believe you are already a MD in Canada it will be interesting if you share a break and the strategic approach for MD with Nigerian experience or fellowship

Soba, Thanks for your reply.

I will be honest as in not being too versed with those with those coming with a strictly Nigerian experience, as that was not my starting point personally. I do however know an acquaintance who was a consultant anaesthetist in LUTH but had been out of practice for at least 5 or so years due to reasons pertaining to her husbands job etc.
As far as I am aware she has done the first 2 of 3 steps of the Canadian licensing exams and also did the NAC - essentially a pre-residency match exam here. She made contact with the licensing college in Manitoba and there seem to be happy with her Nigerian experience and are in the process of giving her a provisional license pending some form of assessment and she can start to practice then hopefully in the next year or 2 obtain the Canadian boards.
I think certain provinces like Manitoba and the maritimes (please don't quote me on this) have relatively 'looser' requirements. It is essentially a demand and supply things. Those paces are relatively less desirous to live in for a number of reasons and tend to have a relative shortage of doctors and as a result their entry requirements are not as stringent as say Ontario or BC for example.

If you're a Nigerian trained GP, I would suggest checking the college of physicians and surgeons in all the Canadian provinces. Just type in CPS...and add the first letter of the province so CPSO (Ontario), CPSA (Alberta) etc and look at their IMG practice requirements. That should give you a head start in terms of information.

The second step is getting the licensing exams out of the way. Currently there are there steps, they are in the process of streamlining it this year I think into just 2. When I did the first step (MCCEE) in 2014, most provinces were happy with just that requirement. I did complete all the three steps and my relevant Canadian specialty exam before I left the UK, because I was not prepare to put my family in jeopardy of uncertainty.

So once again, I go back to being strategic. Give yourself an 18-24 month plan to be on the conservative side. I would use this for someone coming from parts of the world where their post-graduate training is recognised by the Canadians and you're looking at just going through the process of them formally recognising your previous training experience and writing the exams.

If you're coming straight from Nigeria - then the two pathways are looking at residency (difficult but not impossible) or a sort of practice assessment - very provincial dependent before transitioning into commencing practice.

Canadian rules are convoluted and can be frustrating to get one head around so don't let that discourage you.

Finally, if you're really keen on making the move, start looking at applying for PR. It puts you at a relative advantage when it comes to job application and even things like practice assessments. They do positively discriminate in favour of Canadian citizens and residents - its just the way it is they don't hide it. There were a couple of hospitals who were not prepared to go through with me because I needed a work permit coming from the UK despite already having all the necessary Canadian qualifications and a fun medical licence.

PS

1. It is all capital intensive, takes patience but in my view if you get things done and a good deal, there are fewer places in the English speaking world to practice and enjoy medicine better than Canada at the moment. It is not without its challenges but in my view the benefits significantly outweigh any such draw backs and it is not even close.

2. If you really want to pull this off in a smart way, I would suggest looking at the UK as a mid-way stop. The exams are cheaper. Your chance of getting a job/residency relatively easier compared to Canada. You can earn some money to pay for your exams, gather the necessary clinical experience that serves you well towards getting Canadian clinical equivalent recognition - i.e if youre looking at working at the GP level. The specialist route is longer and more tenuous but a man has got to do what a man has got to do.

Good luck and let me know if you think I can be of some further help information wise.

Old thread I know, but new here and stumbled upon it. As someone who made the move from the UK to Canada. I certain would encourage looking into it.
I’d however suggest being strategic about it. Never going to ever discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams but would suggest a huge exercise in caution about residency in Canada.
You stand a much better chance of obtaining that in the UK and using your UK qualifications or CCT as the case might be to obtain an equivalent consultant job in Canada. Obviously depends very much on which province you’re aiming to practice in.
Goes without saying that you should be looking at getting the licencing and specialist exams also, the latter would not necessarily preclude your starting practice in most provinces. Slightly more straight forward for GPS as the focus is mainly on licensing exams.
For those who have not had formal UK CCT but have some working experience, there are ways around this in terms of getting the Canadians to recognise your UK working experience so you can sit the relevant Canadian specialist exams.
In summary, do your home work from the UK and if you plan things properly you can aim to arrive here with most of the necessary exams out of the way so your entry into practice can be as seamless as possible.
It is no doubt an expensive undertaking but in my view for the quality of life, true Independence of practice and remuneration. It is not comparable.
Happy to provide specific details for anyone truly interested.