Guide to Work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada

Are you a Nigerian Trained Family Physician? Do you have post-graduate training in Family Medicine? Do you want to work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then this article is for you please read on.

Canada has a lot of employment opportunities for Nigerian-trained Family Physicians and other International Medical Graduates (IMGs) with post-graduate training and qualifications in family medicine.

A Family Physician in Nigeria is a physician generalist who has completed formal training in Family Medicine and has passed the part 2 fellowship exam of the West African College of Physicians or National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria. However, to work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada, the part 1 clinical rotations and training will suffice.

Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) is a prerequisite for practising family medicine in Canada. However, Nigerian Trained Family Physicians are not eligible to sit for the College of Family Physicians certification Exam. Doctors who trained in the USA, Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom can apply for CCFP without any exam.

The Nigerian Trained Family Physician will need an alternative pathway to obtain a license as a Family Physician in Canada without immediate certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

The alternative pathway for Nigerian-trained family Physicians to obtain a practising licence in Canada is the National Assessment Collaboration’s Practice Ready Assessment program (NAC-PRA).

The Practice Ready Assessment program is offered in seven of the thirteen provinces of Canada as an alternative pathway for internationally trained medical graduates who have completed residency and have practised independently abroad.

Each of the seven provinces has its own Practice Ready Assessment program aimed at ensuring that internationally trained medical graduates have the requisite skills and medical knowledge to provide quality health care to patients in Canada.

The National Assessment Collaboration’s Practice Ready Assessment program is a pan-Canadian model, with a set of common standards, tools and materials for all the seven Canadian provinces which offer the Practice Ready Assessment program.

Alternatively, Nigerian Trained Family Physicians can also repeat Family medicine training in Canada or do a residency in other countries such as Australia, USA or UK then migrate to Canada to practice.

For questions and clarifications regarding the guide to work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada, please use the comment section.

The 7 Canadian Provinces that participate in the NAC – PRA P program

Note: The following Canadian provinces Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest do not currently participate in the National Assessment Collaboration’s Practice Ready Assessment program for internationally trained medical graduates.

Steps to Work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada

Guide to Work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada. Nigerian trained Family physicians can practice in Canada via the following steps.

Step 1. Select your preferred province

Canada is made up of 13 provinces, 7 of which offer the Practice Ready Assessment program which allows Nigerian Trained Family Physicians and other international medical graduates to register, get licenced and practice in Canada.

Each of the Canadian provinces has its own medical regulatory authority and practice requirements, consequently, internationally trained Family Physicians/ General practitioners need to choose which province(s) they prefer to work in as this will guide the requirements to practice.

The Canadian province’s choice should depend on the ease of obtaining the visa, job availability, permanent residence/citizenship and lifestyle.

Step 2. Open an account with Physiciansapply.ca

The physiciansaspply.ca account supports submission of your credentials, source verification of your credentials with EPIC/ECFMG and registration for the Medical Council of Canada exams (MCC)

Creating an account with Physiciansapply.ca will require payment of a non-refundable fee with your credit card.

Step 3. Primary source verification of your credentials

This is done through your Physicianapply.ca account and is performed via the EPIC/ECFMGs portfolio. Your medical degree(MBBS), internship certificate, postgraduate training letter, full registration with MDCN and Fellowship qualifications should be verified. You may need to interact with your medical university and post-graduate college in Nigeria to facilitate the process.

Note: If you have verified your credentials previously for another purpose via EPIC/ECFMGS, you do need to reverify simply apply for a report to be generated.

Step 4. MCCQE1 Examination

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 (MCCQE1) is a prerequisite for all Nigerian-trained doctors and international medical graduates who intend to practice medicine in any Canadian province.

You can apply and assess preparatory materials for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 via your PhysicianApply.ca account.

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 can be taken at the Prometric test centre in Lagos or online from the comfort of your home. For information about the MCCQE1 exam schedule, application and fees check the MCC website.

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 2 has been cancelled following the covid 19 pandemic, international medical graduates who passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 are entitled to Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).

Step 5. Evidence of English Language Proficiency

The official language in most Canadian provinces is English, thus to Work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada you need to sit for International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic or Occupational English Test (OET) medicine for Canada.

A minimum score of seven in each component of the IELTS or B in all parts of the OET is required. Similarly, Foreign-trained Family Physicians who intend to practice in Quebec need evidence of French Language Proficiency.

The language test is best written after the MCCQE1 exam because it expires after two years.

Step 6. Assessment Eligibility for Practice Ready Assessment

Having completed the steps above, The foreign-trained Family physician should apply to the College of Family Physicians of Canada for a provisional licence to practice Family medicine in the selected province.

However, Nigerian Trained Family Physicians are not currently eligible for provisional licences thus they will go through an alternative pathway; National Assessment Collaboration’s Practice Ready Assessment program.

Eligibility Requirements for National Assessment Collaboration’s Practice Ready Assessment

Medical degree.
Two years of postgraduate training and passing the fellowship examinations in Family Medicine leading to registration or recognition as a family physician.
Evidence of completion of 7 core rotations: A minimum of 4 weeks of postgraduate training in the following departments: internal/general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics/gynaecology, paediatrics, psychiatry, & emergency medicine; and a minimum of 8 weeks of postgraduate training in family medicine.
Scope of Practice: Evidence of having practised independently for a minimum of 2 years as a family physician.
Verification of medical degree, passport, and postgraduate training letters that confirm completion of the 7 core rotations through physiciansapply.ca.
Currency of practice. Evidence of a minimum of 24 weeks (960 hours) of clinical practice as a Family Practitioner 3 years preceding your application.
Evidence of English language proficiency.
A passing score on the MCCQE Part 1 and be a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).

Note: Alberta province does not require independent practice experience post-part 1 family medicine rotation. British Columbia and Nova Scotia require 2 years of independent practice experience.

Step 7. Apply for the TDM exam

To work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada, you must pass the Therapeutic Decision Making Exam. The TDM Examination aims to assess the competence of foreign-trained Family Physicians at the level required of a Family Physician practising independently and safely in Canada.

Application for TDM Examination is through your PRA program. Once your application is approved, you will receive a notification via your physiciansapply.ca account with the exam details. The TDM exam can be written at the Prometric Centre in Lekki Lagos or online.

For more information about the TDM exam schedule, application and fee check the MCC website.

Once you pass the TDM exam, you will receive a result letter via email which will be added to your physiciansapply.ca account.

Step 8. Secure Sponsorship

International trained medical graduates, who have met all the above requirements, will need to apply for sponsorship from the health service of the Canadian province they wish to practice.

Step 9. Practice Readiness Assessment

The selection process for Practice Readiness Assessment programs is quite competitive after the screening process that evaluates the applicants’ credentials and work experience. The PRA programs select foreign-trained doctors who meet the minimum eligibility and sponsorship requirements for the practice-ready assessment route.

After your Practice Readiness Assessment program, the PRA committee reviews the results of your 12 weeks of Clinical Field Assessment (CFA). And sends them to the college to be assessed by the registration committee for approval. Successful foreign-trained family doctors are given a defined licence to practice.

During the Clinical Field Assessment candidates will be provided with accommodation allowance and weekly stipends. In recent times Nigerian Trained Family physicians in Canada have opted for the Nova Scotia Province Practice Ready Assessment Program.

Step 10. Return of Service (ROS) Agreement

Upon completing the Clinical Field Assessment (CFA), successful candidates will sign a 3-year ROS agreement and be posted to a rural community to practice. After the expiration of the three years, the Family doctor can relocate to other parts of Canada or may decide to continue practising there.

Conclusion

The journey to Canada from Nigeria requires hard work and funds. For more information regarding the general cost, implication check the MCC website. This article provided a simplified guide on how to work as a Nigerian Trained Physician in Canada. Good luck.

For questions and clarifications regarding the guide to work as a Nigerian Trained Family Physician in Canada, please use the comment section. Read also: How Nigerian Trained Family Physician Can Practice in Kuwait