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International Medical Graduate program helps doctor shortage

Health-care officials look to internationally trained physicians in order to fill gap
doctor
RESIDENT CARE: Doctor Wassan Thwainy is one of four physicians from the International Medical Graduate program currently practicing in the community. Powell River has qualified for the program again in 2018. David Brindle photo

Among the many pressing health care issues facing Powell River is a chronic shortage of family doctors. One of the ways rural communities are trying to attract new doctors is through the International Medical Graduate (IMG) program.

Currently, internationally trained doctors are being interviewed to practice in Powell River.

“The International Medical Graduate programs provide qualified physicians who trained internationally an alternative pathway to practicing in BC,” said Powell River Division of Family Practice (PRDFP) board chair David May.

The BC government funds the program and IMGs are allocated to communities across the province based on need. Powell River’s process is done collaboratively between Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and PRDFP, which coordinates the matching process.

Since 2013, Powell River has had five IMGs and four currently practice in the community.

Because a significant number of people do not have access to primary care, Powell River has qualified for IMG positions again in 2018, according to May.

In Powell River’s 2015 Vital Signs report, which tracks trends in quality of life, PRDFP reported that 25 per cent of the local population was without a family doctor in 2014, based on a community survey of 857 people.

Several doctors in Powell River are involved in the interview process for potential IMGs, including Medical Clinic Associates senior physician Barrie McDonald.

“From our perspective, it’s fulfilling a really important need,” said McDonald. “Ultimately, what we would love is someone who comes to Powell River for two years, loves it and stays; some of these people who are IMGs will do that.”

For candidates to qualify for the IMG program, they have to go through a rigorous series of assessments, exams and interviews before getting to the community site visits and interviews.

“At the end of the process, an IMG will be signing a contract with a local clinic and a two-year return of service with the Ministry of Health,” said May. “After their two years return of service, IMGs are provided with a full licence to practice anywhere in BC.”

In September 2015, doctor Wassan Thwainy arrived in Powell River on an IMG service agreement to practice full-time medicine and decided to stay on. PRDFP hopes others like her will follow.

Thwainy, who was born and educated in Iraq, chose Powell River over two other BC locations, one in the north and the other in the interior.

“Having support of the community, whether it be my colleagues and also the support that we get from the division, was a very major part,” said Thwainy. “Living here they try to direct you to things you might like and the transition in life and practice. That was a very major part of the process.”

Thaiwny said she did not take over an existing practice in Powell River. Instead, she built her own and the gratitude of her patients who did not have a family doctor underlies the issue of a shortage, she said.

“They say, 'Thank you for choosing Powell River and thank you for accepting us as patients,’” said Thwainy. “Hearing these words shows there is a need for physicians.”