The good news is that 94 per cent of Ontarians now have a family doctor due partly to the successful efforts of both Ontaio and HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency in recruiting doctors – both foreign trained and those trained in other provinces or the U.S. – over the past several years.
Today, there is a record number of international medical graduates (IMGs) working in Ontario as more doctors from around the world are choosing to practise in Ontario.
A majority of these international medical graduates are doctors practicing and treating patients in:
- family medicine and
- high-demand specialties, including
- internal medicine,
- psychiatry and
- emergency medicine.
Thankfully, the international medical graduates are filling the void that was created when Ontario was losing more doctors than it was recruiting, prior to 2003.
The workforce of these international medical graduates in terms of numbers is significant as shown by the following statistics:
- Now international medical graduates make up almost 25 per cent of the doctors who are serving Ontario families.
- In 2009, Ontario gained 174 doctors from another province or country, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
- Ontario offers 200 training and assessment positions annually for international medical graduates – more than all other provinces combined.
- There are currently more than 6,050 international medical graduates in Ontario.
- HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency helps to recruit qualified health care professionals into Ontario and assist internationally educated health professionals living in Ontario to become qualified to practise in the province.
Ontario, Canada: Newsroom
News Release
World’s Doctors Choosing Ontario
May 10, 2011
McGuinty Government Ensuring Families Have Access To Quality Health Care
Today more doctors from around the world are choosing to practise in Ontario, ensuring that families have access to the high quality health care they need, closer to home.
A record number of international medical graduates (IMGs) are now working in Ontario. The HealthForce Ontario Marketing and Recruitment Agency has been helping to boost Ontario’s efforts in recruiting doctors – both foreign trained and those trained in other provinces or the U.S. – over the past several years. A majority of these doctors are either treating patients in high-demand specialties, such as internal medicine, psychiatry and emergency medicine, or practising as family doctors.
Now IMGs make up almost 25 per cent of the doctors who are serving Ontario families. This achievement is in stark contrast to when Ontario was losing more doctors than it was recruiting, prior to 2003.
These initiatives, in part, are the reason why 94 per cent of Ontarians now have a family doctor. Having access to a family doctor helps keep pressure off hospital emergency rooms, can improve health outcomes and most importantly, delivers peace of mind to Ontario families.
Today’s announcement is part of the government’s Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients.
QUOTES
“Before our government took office Ontario was losing more doctors to other provinces and countries than it was recruiting. I’m thrilled that we have managed to help reverse this trend while at the same time, recruiting and training record numbers of international medical graduates. Our ability to attract international talent is a testament to the quality of our province’s health care system.”
– Deb Matthews
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“More doctors are choosing to live and work in Ontario thanks to the government’s initiatives. This is a great benefit to our province, to our communities and most of all to patients who will have better access to health care.”
– Lou Rinaldi
MPP, Northumberland-Quinte West
“It is important that we continue to work together to make Ontario an even more attractive place to practise medicine and to help develop a comprehensive system that will improve patients’ access to quality health care.”
– Dr. Stewart Kennedy
President, Ontario Medical Association
“HealthForceOntario provided me with the support and networking opportunities I needed. Thanks to them, today I am practising emergency medicine in Ontario.”
– Dr. Francesco Mulé
Northumberland Hills Hospital
QUICK FACTS
- In 2009, Ontario gained 174 doctors from another province or country, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
- Ontario offers 200 training and assessment positions annually for IMGs – more than all other provinces combined.
- There are currently more than 6,050 IMGs in Ontario, representing almost a quarter of the physician workforce.
- HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency helps to recruit qualified health care professionals into Ontario and assist internationally educated health professionals living in Ontario to become qualified to practise in the province.
LEARN MORE
CONTACTS
- For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
1-866-532-3161
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
- Neala Barton
Minister’s Office
416-327-4388
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
ontario.ca/health
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