Thread: clinical sites

Hey everyone!
Just had my interview today and am anxiously awaiting a reply. One thing that was very interesting was when I asked about the clinical sites in Canada, she said that SJSOM does not offer rotations in Canada (even though the website and brochure cleary states that clinicals are offered in Canada). Her response was that they don't want to make any "promises to students"? I also asked about MCC accreditation, but again she said the rules could change at any time. It was all a bit confusing to me because I would like to do some rotations in Canada (I'm Canadian). Do any current students have any comments on this? Also of interest is that the clinical coordinator also said that the list of hospitals on the website has changed and some have been dropped. Does anyone know where the clinical sites in the US are located? Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by sophie1

Hey everyone!
Just had my interview today and am anxiously awaiting a reply. One thing that was very interesting was when I asked about the clinical sites in Canada, she said that SJSOM does not offer rotations in Canada (even though the website and brochure cleary states that clinicals are offered in Canada). Her response was that they don't want to make any "promises to students"? I also asked about MCC accreditation, but again she said the rules could change at any time. It was all a bit confusing to me because I would like to do some rotations in Canada (I'm Canadian). Do any current students have any comments on this? Also of interest is that the clinical coordinator also said that the list of hospitals on the website has changed and some have been dropped. Does anyone know where the clinical sites in the US are located? Thanks in advance

Hi Sophie! I'm not Canadian and can't really speak about rotating or practicing medicine there. From what I know many Canadians who don't get in North American schools have a very slim chance of doing residency and/or getting licensed in Canada. It probably depends on provinces, but in general IMGs are looking to practice in U.S.A. I know that SABA had some success with Canadian rotations, and even some of their graduates going back and practicing in canada. But those cases are too few and far between.

Good Luck

thanks for your reply. I guess I'm just concerned about SJSOM posting something as important as clincal sites and not being accurate or truthful. It is definately a credibility issue. WRT residency and licensure in Canada, I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

Originally Posted by sophie1

thanks for your reply. I guess I'm just concerned about SJSOM posting something as important as clincal sites and not being accurate or truthful. It is definately a credibility issue. WRT residency and licensure in Canada, I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.

There were some students who did do Canadian rotations before but my understanding they are hard to arrange and all the Canadians here now do not want to rotate so far...............................To them the US is best........

hi,

I'm a canadian and will apply next week to st james. I think it is benificial for us to do all rotations at U.S. hospitals, since we will be taking the USMLEs whether we want to practice in the U.S. or not. Coming back to Canada is not impossible as some may have mentioned, but it would depend on the province you wish to do residency in and eventually practice in. Have you looked into the "underserved areas" option? I think Saskatchewan has a program like that... Also, some provinces will take the USMLE step 1 and 2 as an equivalent to Canadian licensure exams.


Hope that helps.

I'm from Quebec

well, coming back to canada is not gonna be such a problem. lately, the laws have been relaxed and even coming to ontario seems possible these days. just today, i contacted most of the medical schools in canada regarding doing some electives here. mcgill and mcmaster are open to the possibility. one merely has to fill out an application, send the corresponding (and hefty) fee and then hope for the best.

Originally Posted by goca

well, coming back to canada is not gonna be such a problem. lately, the laws have been relaxed and even coming to ontario seems possible these days. just today, i contacted most of the medical schools in canada regarding doing some electives here. mcgill and mcmaster are open to the possibility. one merely has to fill out an application, send the corresponding (and hefty) fee and then hope for the best.

most ppl who have set up rotations in canada have done it on their own....very easy to set up.....though there are some rules u got to follow...check out this site for more info...Canadian Information Centre for International Medical Graduates
the main pt u gotta remember is the amount of residency spots open to img in canada compared to US....this is where it is wise and logical to do rotations in US compared to canada...........

Is an IMG's chances of obtaining residency in Canada improved if rotations are done in the US? I hear there are minimal residency spots for IMG's in Canada and IF you do get one, they are the leftovers in the Northern parts of the province ( less oportunity for learning)