ASSESSMENTS

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Practice Ready Ontario (PRO)

Touchstone Institute is working with the Government of Ontario and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and others to administer a practice ready assessment program for internationally trained family physicians in Ontario.

Additional information for PRO assessors will be added to this webpage as it is available. Please sign up to our mailing list below for future updates or contact us directly with your inquiry.

About

Practice Ready Ontario streamlines the process for internationally trained physicians who have completed postgraduate training and have experience of independent practice in family medicine or as a general practitioner outside Canada.

 

Practice Ready Ontario is a positive development for the public in Ontario and for internationally trained physicians who hope to work in the province. The program provides a pathway for internationally trained physicians to become licensed more rapidly.

Hiring more physicians is the most effective step to ensure that you and your family are able to see a doctor where and when you need to. Practice Ready Ontario will provide up to an extra 50 family physicians in areas of high need through the first cohort alone – all successful candidates are required by the provincial government to fulfill a three-year return of service as a family physician.

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Important Dates

June 2023 Intake 

  • Phase 1 Application open from June 21, 2023 – July 19, 2023 
  • Phase 1 Application results sent out the second week of August, 2023 
  • Phase 2 of Application is by email invitation only 

 

We thank all applicants who took the time to apply for the June 2023 intake of Practice Ready Ontario.  

 

January 2024 Intake 

  • Phase 1 Application opens on January 8, 2024 
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Contact Practice Ready Ontario

Please carefully review the information available on our website. If the information does not address your inquiry, please fill out the contact form below. 

Sign Up for PRO Mailing List

Internationally Trained Physicians

Practice Ready Ontario is an assessment program that recognizes the competence of internationally trained physicians who have completed postgraduate training and have experience of independent practice in family medicine or as a general practitioner outside Canada. The program considers qualifications and experience, in a clinical setting, to determine the readiness of applicants for independent practice.

This rigorous program includes a 12-week clinical field assessment in a designated Ontario community. Successful candidates will be required to complete a three-year return of service as a family physician in the province.

Internationally trained physicians are already an essential component of Ontario’s health care system with nearly a third of all doctors in the province receiving their medical degrees outside Canada.

Practice Ready Ontario is available to internationally trained physicians and does not distinguish between the nationalities at birth of applicants. Canadian citizens or permanent residents who trained internationally and meet all the other criteria are eligible to apply for this program.

Applicants

Process Overview

Practice Ready Ontario offers a route to practice in the province for internationally trained family physicians with demonstrated competence and in-depth practice experience outside Canada. It aligns with the Medical Council of Canada’s National Assessment Collaborative pan-Canadian standards for practice ready assessments. Applications will take place in two phases. In the third phase candidates complete a clinical field assessment.

  • Phase 1: program administrators determine the eligibility of applicants. This includes a review of medical qualifications, postgraduate training and rotations, and the hours of independent practice. Applicants will then be deemed eligible or ineligible.
  • Phase 2: eligible applicants who are also chosen to proceed submit evidence of certain requirements, write the Therapeutics Decision-Making Examination, interview and apply for a restricted license through the CPSO. Reaching the second phase does not guarantee being selected to enter the program and the clinical field assessment.
  • Phase 3: selected candidates complete a program orientation followed by the 12-week clinical field assessment. All candidates will be required to sign a return of service agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health before they start their clinical field assessment.
  • Return of Service: candidates who successfully complete this clinical field assessment will be required to enter into a three-year agreement with the Ministry of Health, and complete any other applicable licensure requirements.

This is a competitive program. Meeting the minimum requirements for each phase does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected to advance to the next phase of the program.

Ineligible applicants can apply again, once they meet the criteria.

There will be costs associated with participating in the Practice Ready Ontario program. Please see our Candidate Fees overview for more information.

 

 

PRO Timeline Activities (Simplified)

Requirements

To be eligible to participate in Practice Ready Ontario applicants must have completed a medical degree at a recognized school, as well as at least two years of postgraduate training in family medicine or general practice. Up-to-date practical experience is also essential.

Click on each category below to read about Practice Ready Ontario applicant requirements:

Applicants must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.

Successful completion of a medical degree issued by a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

Evidence of English Language Proficiency can be demonstrated in these ways: 

  • Successful completion of one of the following language proficiency exams:
  • Completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate medical education in English in one of the countries that have English as a first and native language (see list below); or 
  • Current practice in a country or jurisdiction where English is the first and native language and more than 50% of patient care is provided in English (see list below) 

List of countries that have English as a first and native language: Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands; and the Caribbean Islands of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago 

Successfully passed and achieved an accepted score in the following Medical Council of Canada examinations:

AND

      • March 2013 to September 2018: 75
      • March 2019 to March 2020: 429 
      • September 2020: Pass with Superior Performance. A “pass” will not meet minimum eligibility requirements.
      • October 2021 to April 2023: 1405
      • May 2023 onwards: 608 

Please note: PRO will not accept NAC exam scores for exam sessions prior to March 2013. 

Evidence of a minimum of two years of postgraduate training in family medicine or general practice in another jurisdiction. Postgraduate training is defined as the successful completion of a postgraduate/internship/residency training program in family medicine or general practice that is at least 24 months in duration. Training in the required rotations must be from an approved university affiliated program. Community experience or observerships do not count towards postgraduate training.  

Ability to demonstrate completion of the below seven core rotations. 

  • Minimum of 8 weeks postgraduate training in family medicine or general practice.
  • Minimum of 4 weeks postgraduate training in emergency medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. 

Evidence of having completed a minimum of three consecutive years of independent practice as a general or family physician (patient’s Most Responsible Physician) in another jurisdiction in the past. Preference to be given to recent independent practice experience and experience with minimal interruptions or gaps.

Independent practice is defined as being an active, independent family physician / general practitioner acting as a Most Responsible Physician with the authority to diagnose, implement, manage, and follow up on patient treatment plans as well as order medications and diagnostic procedures. Work arrangements that do not qualify include volunteer positions if the physician is not the Most Responsible Physician, assist work, observerships and preceptorships.  

Evidence demonstrating 24 weeks (960 hours) of clinical practice as a family physician or general practitioner in the immediately preceding three years (virtual-care will be considered, however a minimum of 850 hours must be in-person care). Preference will be given to applicants with recent clinical practice experience.

Clinical practice is defined as active, independent practice as a family physician or general practitioner acting as the Most Responsible Physician.  Work arrangements that do not qualify include volunteer positions if the physician is not the most responsible physician, assist work, observerships and preceptorships.

  • Valid Medical Identification Number for Canada (MINC)
  • Valid Medical Council of Canada candidate code
  • No more than one previous practice ready assessment attempts in Canada
  • A current curriculum vitae following this format

Phase 1: Application and Screening

Applications will be completed through the Practice Ready Ontario Application Portal. At this phase, applicants confirm their eligibility, and share documentation with program administrators through physiciansapply.ca.

  1. Check the minimum eligibility criteria.  
  2. Gather your supporting documents.   
  3. Prepare to share your physiciansapply.ca documents with Touchstone Institute. This will simplify the process for you, so that there is no duplication of document submission. Touchstone Institute has a formal agreement with the MCC to access your document only with your consent. See Touchstone Institute’s Practice Ready Ontario Privacy Policy for more information about how we use and safeguard your data. 
  4. Download and read the Application Guide.  
  1. Create your account in the PRO Application Portal.
  2. Complete the multi-step form.  

In Phase 1, applicants must provide the following to confirm their eligibility:

  • MCC candidate code / MINC number
  • Previous practice ready assessment attempts (in any Canadian province)
  • Medical education
  • English language proficiency
  • Examinations
  • Postgraduate training and rotations
  • Curriculum Vitae, following the format of this template
  • Acknowledgment of currency of practice, postgraduate training, independent practice requirements

Applicants will also provide program administrators with consent to access the following documents through physiciansapply.ca:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
  • Details of any previous practice ready assessment attempts (in any Canadian province)
  • Medical degree / diploma(s)
  • Medical school transcripts(s)
  • MCC exam results / exam dates (MCCQE1 and MCCQE2 / NAC)

Phase 2: Verification and Selection

Eligible candidates who are chosen to proceed to Phase 2 will receive an invitation by email to complete the Phase 2 application form in the portal. During this part of the process the applicant’s credentials will be verified by the program administrators. They will also write the Therapeutics Decision-Making Examination, interview and apply for a restricted license through the CPSO.

Before you apply for Phase 2, collect all your supporting documents.  

When you are ready to apply:   

  1. Log in to your account in the PRO Application Portal. 
  2. Complete the multi-step form.  

Please note, access to the Phase 2 portion of the PRO portal will be granted by invitation only after completion and verification of applicants selected from Phase 1. 

  • Provide contact details for three references, including but not limited to those who formally overseen the applicant or colleagues.
  • Demonstrate completion of the seven core rotations.
  • Demonstrate completion of 960 hours of clinical practice as a family physician or general practitioner in the immediately preceding three years (virtual-care will be considered, however a minimum of 850 hours must be in-person).
  • Demonstrate a minimum three consecutive years of independent practice.
    • Scope in which you practiced independently for three consecutive years as a family physician or general practitioner is required.
  • Demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency.
  • Indicate other certifications or qualifications (such as ACLS, ATLS or PALS).

This examination is a three-hour short-answer test with approximately 40 cases or patient-based scenarios. The cases and scenarios represent common or important presentations from across four dimensions of care:   

  • Health promotion and illness prevention  
  • Acute illness  
  • Chronic illness 
  • Safety and adverse effects  

Eligible applicants for the Practice Ready Ontario will be able to write the TDM Examination in an exceptionally scheduled session in September 2023. Details will be shared with selected applicants through Touchstone Institute. For more information, read the TDM Candidate Information Guide.   

All applicants who progress to Phase 2 of the application will participate in an interview.

More information to be made available soon.

Phase 3: Clinical Field Assessment

Candidates who are chosen to proceed to Phase 3 will work under the direct supervision of experienced physician assessors who will observe, assess and provide feedback on the candidate’s clinical and non-clinical skills that relate to family medicine. Over the course of the twelve-week clinical field assessment, candidates should experience a broad range of patient presentations that are common to family practice, including emergency practice. They will need to demonstrate throughout that they have the required competencies for independent practice as a family physician in Ontario.

Candidates will spend the duration of the clinical field assessment in a designated community under the direct supervision of an assessor. Before starting the clinical field assessment the following steps must be completed:

  1. Secure an offer of employment with an eligible location, where the three-year return of service will be completed.  

  2. Sign a return of service agreement with the Ministry of Health. 

  3. Touchstone Institute will begin pairing candidates with clinical field assessment locations.

  4. Obtain a provisional license for the Practice Ready Ontario clinical field assessment from the CPSO.  

  5. Attend an orientation program through Touchstone Institute.  

Candidates will complete the clinical field assessment in a community that is comparable to the location where they will ultimately complete their return of service.

Prior to starting the clinical field assessment, all candidates must attend a mandatory orientation program at the Touchstone Institute offices in Toronto. The orientation will include sessions led by Canadian physicians, who will orient candidates to the Ontario health care system and the Practice Ready Ontario process. More information about the orientation will be available closer to the program start dates. 

Successful applicants who complete the screening and selection process will move forward to the clinical field assessment. Only those who have successfully completed the rigorous screening process will be selected to proceed to the assessment. Candidates will spend 12-weeks in a designated assessment community under the direct supervision of an assessor(s). A stipend will be provided for the duration.

During the clinical field assessment candidates will work under the direct supervision of physician assessors, who will observe, assess and provide feedback on their clinical and non-clinical skills related to family medicine.

Candidates' assessment results will be reviewed by the PRO Assessment Committee to make a final determination on the outcome of the assessment.

Return of Service

Practice Ready Ontario will provide a pathway to increase the number of family physicians in high need communities in the province. The Ontario Ministry of Health requires that all successful candidates in the program complete a minimum three-year return of service as family physicians in an area identified by the government.

The return of service must be fulfilled in the Ontario community in which the offer of employment was secured. All candidates will be required to sign a return of service agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health before they start their clinical field assessment. This agreement contracts them to work for three years full-time as family physicians, on the successful completion of their assessment.

Candidates will not be able to complete their return of service in the same practice in which they were assessed, but they will be matched to another community with a similar profile and demographics.

The Ontario Ministry of Health has determined that practice locations in communities with a Rurality Index of Ontario (RIO) score of 40 and above those in Northern Urban Referral Centres (i.e., Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay) are eligible for successful candidates to complete their return of service.

RIO is a measure of rurality that is derived from three factors: population (count and density), travel time to a basic referral centre, and travel time to an advanced referral centre. RIO scores are assigned to Statistics Canada census subdivisions. Please visit the site linked here for community RIO scores.

Participating physicians with pre-existing return of service obligations must disclose these at the time of application. Practice Ready Ontario candidates cannot participate in both the International Medical Graduate Training return of service program and Practice Ready Ontario.

Program Fees

Please be advised that costs incurred will vary depending on individual circumstances. Below is a summary of the anticipated costs associated with participating in the Practice Ready Ontario program in 2023-2024.

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Resources

 

 

Communities

The Ontario Ministry of Health has determined that practice locations in communities with a Rurality Index of Ontario (RIO) score of 40 and above and those in Northern Urban Referral Centres (i.e., Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay) are eligible for return of service.

Practice Ready Ontario candidates will complete their clinical field assessment in a community similar to that in which they will be completing their three-year return of service. Clinical field assessments must also take place in a community with a RIO score of 40 and above or in Northern Referral Centre.

RIO is a measure of rurality that is derived from three factors: population (count and density), travel time to a basic referral centre, and travel time to an advanced referral centre. RIO scores are assigned to Statistics Canada census subdivisions. Please visit the site linked here for community RIO scores.

Communities interested in participating in Practice Ready Ontario can contact Ontario Health at: practiceontario@ontariohealth.ca

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Partners

Touchstone Institute is working with the Government of Ontario, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) to put in place a practice ready assessment program for internationally trained family physicians in Ontario.

 

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Practice Ready Ontario is funded by the Government of Ontario.

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