NOSM University - Family Medicine - Northern Ontario
2021 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
IMG Stream for IMG
Last approved on December 07, 2020
Summary of changesAccreditation status : Accredited
Provincial Criteria
NOSM Postgraduate Education -Family Medicine
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 5E1
Program Contacts
Important Information
Pre-residency orientation programs
All IMG candidates accepted to all residency programs will be required to complete either the Pre-Residency Program (PRP) or the Pre-Residency Program for Family Medicine (PRPFM) prior to entering into a residency program. Matched IMGs will be expected to attend these programs in Toronto, several weeks in advance of the start of their residency program. In some cases, this may result in a delay of the start date of the residency. Additional information on the PRP and PRP FM programs can be found at the following link: Touchstone Institute.
Assessment verification period
All IMG candidates accepted to residency training programs will be required to undergo an Assessment Verification Period (AVP). This assessment period is normally 12 weeks in length and is required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to obtain an educational license to enter a residency program.
IMGs that have failed an AVP and are reapplying through CaRMS are ineligible to apply for training in the same specialty in Ontario, but may apply to a different specialty in the first and/or second iteration. IMGs who have withdrawn from a program prior to completion of an AVP must declare so upon application.
Return of Service
All IMGs will be required to sign an IMG Training Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care that requires the IMG to return service for a period of five years upon completion of their training in their area of specialty (including Family Medicine). This ROS commitment can be fulfilled anywhere in Ontario with the exception of the following communities: The City of Ottawa, The Greater Toronto Area including the City of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham and Pickering.
IMGs with pre-existing ROS obligations must disclose these obligations at time of application. IMGs that have active ROS obligations may not be eligible for Ontario-funded training positions. Such individuals may wish to contact the ministry for further information.
The ROS commitment to Ontario must commence within the timeframe set out in the individual’s IMG Training Agreement with Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The location where the IMG returns service must be approved by the ministry as per the terms of their IMG Training Agreement.
For further information concerning return of service, contact:
PROGRAM OFFICER
Health Workforce Education Strategy Unit.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Tel: (416) 327-8339
Email: PPUProgramOfficer@Ontario.ca
Website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/hhrsd/physicians/international_medical_graduates.aspx
General Instructions
Program application language: English
Supporting Documentation / Information
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
Canadian Citizenship:
Must be a Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident. Proof of valid current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the Rank Order List deadline. Failure to provide valid proof will result in your application being removed. No other forms of verification are acceptable.
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by an authority in Canada accompanied by photo ID (must be a Canadian government-issued photo ID), or
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Canadian Passport, or
- Notarized/certified photocopy of confirmation of permanent residence accompanied by a photo ID (must be a Canadian government issued photo ID), or
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Permanent Resident Card/Canadian Citizen Card – copies of both sides of the card must be provided and legible.
• IELTS
• TOEFL - iBT
Please note, for the 2021 R-1 Match cycle, the IELTS Indicator will be accepted as a substitute for the Academic Version of the IELTS.
Please note, for the 2021 R-1 Match cycle, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition will be accepted as a substitute for the TOEFL iBT.
Applicants must be able to communicate in the language of instruction and patient care of the matching school.
Language Requirements
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 7 in each component, OR
- TOEFL-Ibt – passing score of 93 including a minimum score of 24 on the speaking section, OR
- A pass result in the French proficiency test administered by the Collège des Médecins du Québec, OR
- Candidates for whom their primary and secondary, or medical school education was conducted in English or French, the Ontario medical schools will accept Language Proficiency Attestations as follows:
a)Primary and Secondary Education: Mailed directly from the Senior Academic Administrators of both schools to the program confirming that all of the candidate’s primary and secondary education was conducted completely in English or French.
b) Medical School: Mailed directly from the Dean of the candidate’s medical school confirming that the language of instruction and patient care was conducted completely in English or French
c) World Directory of Medical Schools Language Option - If the instruction and the language of patient care at the undergraduate medical school was conducted completely in English or French, then a candidate can submit to the Program a copy or printout of the World Directory of Medical Schools website listing the medical school which clearly states that the language of instruction is English or French.
Exactly 3 reference letters dated in 2019 or later. Undated reference letters will not be accepted. Please ask referees to provide us with an assessment of your medical knowledge and clinical skills, interpersonal skills, ability to engage and communicate effectively with patients, attitudes toward learning, and commitment to family medicine.
Order from your registrar.
If your transcript indicates poor academic standing, course failure(s), or extension of time in medical school for granted leaves please include at the beginning of your Personal Letter a supplementary statement titled “Transcript Addendum" explaining the above. This transcript addendum will not count towards your word limit for your Personal Letter. Failing to submit a transcript addendum if the above criteria apply, will result in the application not being considered.
Medical Student Performance RecordOrder from your Dean's office.
Personal Letter
Personal letter (under 500 words) describing how your background and experiences have led to an interest and commitment to a career in family medicine, and your understanding of the role of Family Physicians in the Canadian health care system. Letters exceeding the 500 words limit will not be reviewed.
If you are including a transcript addendum, it will not count towards your word limit for your Personal Letter
Custom Résumé / CVLevel of responsibility (observer, student, resident, other trainee status, independent practice, etc) should be specified for each clinical experience listed in the CaRMS C.V.
NAC examination - Statement of resultsA passing score of NAC is required to apply.
NAC examination - Supplemental Information Report
(for those whose latest attempt at the NAC was prior to September 2020)
A passing score of NAC is required to apply.
MCCQE Part I - Statement of Results
A passing score of MCCQE1 is required to apply.
Appreciated for memory aid.
Abstract/PublicationsReview Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on February 8, 2021
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on February 8, 2021
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on February 8, 2021
Applicants who apply to any of the six Ontario Family Medicine Programs (McMaster University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Queen's University, University of Toronto, Western University) will be assessed by a joint panel comprised of representatives from each of the six Ontario Family Medicine Programs. This panel will assess all candidates' applications and grant interviews to approximately 300 applicants, regardless of the number of Ontario Family Medicine Programs candidates apply to. The panel will provide the final evaluation results of all candidates who were interviewed to each of the individual Ontario Family Medicine Programs that they applied to. Each Ontario Family Medicine Program will then generate its own final rank list.
Interviews
Dates:
- March 1, 2021
- March 2, 2021
- March 3, 2021
- March 4, 2021
- March 5, 2021
Will I receive an interview offer?
The six Ontario Family Medicine Programs usually receive over 1300 applications, and can only offer interviews to a maximum of approximately 300 applicants.
NAC and MCCQE1 are required and candidates must submit results of NAC and MCCQE1. Approximately 300 candidates with top scores in the NAC and MCCQE1 will be invited for interviews.
Applicants who are not interviewed will not be ranked by the programs.
If I receive an interview offer, do I have to travel to all six Ontario Family Medicine Programs for interviews?
As per the AFMC Resident Matching Committee (ARMC) decision, all 2021 R1- match interviews will occur in a virtual format - you will not be required to travel to the Program with which your virtual interview will be held. The six Ontario Family Medicine Programs will conduct a standardized virtual interview in English. Should you be invited for a virtual interview, you will be assigned to one of the six Ontario Family Medicine Programs for the virtual interview. Each Ontario Family Medicine Program to which you applied will use your joint virtual interview score to decide on your ranking independently.
Selection Criteria
I have received an interview offer based on my eligibility and exam scores. Are there other preferential selection criteria that the program directors consider in my ranking?
The six Ontario Family Medicine Programs prefer applicants who have recent full-time clinical experience (clinical clerkship during medical school or residency or independent practice). Observership is NOT considered clinical experience. Participation in a residency training program in Family Medicine or in clinical practice in family medicine or its equivalent will be favoured in our ranking.
Program goals
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is committed to the education of high quality physicians and health professionals, and to international recognition as a leader in distributed, learning-centred, community-engaged education and research.
The NOSM Family Medicine Program's vision is to educate doctors based on the CanMEDS-FM roles to develop the skills and attitudes necessary to deliver excellent, culturally respectful health care to the communities of Northern Ontario, including rural and remote areas.
Selection process goals
Through our selection process, our program aims to identify candidates who have a strong academic history with demonstrated competence and interest in family medicine (e.g. FM rotations, electives, scholarly activities, conference involvement and other related work or life experiences). We are seeking candidates who possess superior clinical and communication skills, and have the ability to relate to patients, their families, and caregivers with compassion, empathy, sensitivity and humility.
We are looking for candidates who possess the ability and willingness to work collaboratively (within and across professional domains) in a team dynamic to secure optimal patient outcomes, while exemplifying the highest standards of professional behavior -- inclusive of responsibility, respect, and self-awareness.
We are also looking to identify candidates who would be a good fit for our program. As a socially accountable medical school, accountable to the needs and the diversity of the populations of Northern Ontario, candidates best suited to the NOSM Family Medicine Program are those with a vested interest in rural medicine, who can adapt and thrive in a hands-on, distributed rural residency program that requires flexibility and some travel away from their primary location of residence.
We also believe that candidates who are resilient, can prioritize their personal well-being and work-life balance, and are also committed to self-reflective learning, continuing professional development, and quality improvement, are well-suited to our program. Through our selection process we aim to identify and successfully match candidates who possess these attributes as well.
File review process
Review team composition : All files are jointly screened for eligibility and then further assessed by a member of the joint selection team.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 601 +
The six Ontario Family Medicine Programs usually receive around 1300 applications yearly.
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 0 - 25 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | Level of responsibility (e.g observer) be specified for each clinical experience listed in the CV |
| Electives | An elective in Family Medicine is recommended but not required. |
| Examinations | A passing score of MCCQE1 is required to apply. |
| Extra-curricular | Evidence of variety of Extra-curricular activities. Leadership positions within the ECA is valued |
| Leadership skills | Leadership positions within academic and extracurricular activities are valued. |
| MSPRs | Candidates must demonstrate a strong academic performance |
| Personal letters | See Below |
| Reference documents | See Below |
| Research/Publications | Research, publications and scholarly activity will be considered in the context of ECA |
| Transcripts | Candidates must demonstrate a strong academic performance |
| Other file component(s) |
Continued: • Personal letters - Personal letters must be well written, address the questions posed in the CaRMS program description and demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of Family Medicine. We recommend that you explain any gaps in training or deficiencies in your performance in your personal letter in order to ensure complete consideration of your application. If your transcript indicates poor academic standing, course failure(s), or extension of time in medical school for granted leaves please include at the beginning of your Personal Letter a supplementary statement titled “Transcript Addendum" explaining the above. This transcript addendum will not count towards your word limit for your Personal Letter. Failing to submit a transcript addendum if the above criteria apply, will result in the application not being considered. • Reference documents Exactly 3 reference letters dated in 2019 or later. Undated reference letters will not be accepted. Please ask referees to provide us with an assessment of your medical knowledge and clinical skills, interpersonal skills, ability to engage and communicate effectively with patients, attitudes toward learning, and commitment to family medicine. |
Elective criteria
We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted candidates’ opportunities to arrange and complete electives and would like to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact your application to our program.
Interview process
Interview format :
We do not re-schedule interviews for applicants after we have completed the scheduling process.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | Demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of collaboration in FM |
| Collegiality | Demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of collegiality in Family Medicine |
| Communication skills | Candidates must possess strong communication skills |
| Health advocacy | Demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of health advocacy in FM |
| Interest in the discipline | It is expected that candidates demonstrate a strong interest in Family Medicine |
| Interest in the program | It is expected that candidates demonstrate a strong interest in the FM |
| Leadership skills | Demonstrate a good understanding of the importance of leadership skills in FM |
| Professionalism | Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism& understand its importance in FM |
| Scholarly activities | We do not evaluate this interview component |
Information gathered outside of CaRMS application
We do not consider any information gathered outside of the CaRMS application and local interview processes.Ranking process
The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :Program Highlights
- Practice opportunities are extensive, and diverse allowing residents to immerse themselves in the unique lifestyle of northern Ontario
- Residents have flexibility and are encouraged to undertake clinical experiences in a wide variety of communities across the entire NOSM geographic area
- Opportunities exist to undertake either Family medicine or other learning experiences in the French language and experience the Francophone culture of northern Ontario
- Community rotations are available which will allow residents to immerse and familiarize themselves in the rural culture, and experience the challenges and rewards of delivery of care in rural and remote communities
- Many diverse opportunities exist to encounter, immerse and deliver care to Indigenous Peoples including travel to northern First Nations.
- Rotations in over 40 Northern urban, rural and remote clinical settings
- Opportunity for a wide variety of PGY3 enhanced skills options in northern Ontario
- A unique opportunity for blended hospital-based and community-based training with first call coverage in most disciplines
- Early integration as a key member of an interdisciplinary health care team dedicated to professionalism, high quality patient care and excellent medical education
- A diverse variety of in-patient and outpatient experiences emphasized from the beginning of residency
- Unparalleled preceptor support from physician faculty and preceptors whose primary focus is patient care and teaching
- Commitment to resident learning
- Financial support for resident travel to and from core clinical placements away from the home base and all mandatory educational activities at non home base locations
- Housing support for core rotations away from home base and primary residence for up to 6 months per academic year
- Opportunities to participate in a scholarly activity, including research and quality imporvement, under expert guidance
- Funding available for research, professional development and conference participation
- Access to advanced technology and informatics that allows 24/7 access to electronic search engines, and electronic indexes, as well as an extensive collection of electronic medical/health journals and textbooks
- Exceptional lifestyle balance with a wide variety of outstanding northern Ontario recreational opportunities
Program Curriculum
This residency program is for 2 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
Program Overview
The NOSM Family Medicine program is an accredited program of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). We follow the Triple C competency-based curriculum in all of our training streams. Utilizing the CanMEDS-FM competencies, along with the CFPC's Priority Topics and Skills Dimensions, our curriculum is build with community Family Medicine in mind. All of our rotations are largely community based, with several opportunities within our hospitals. The vast majority of teaching is provided by Family Physicians. Comprehensiveness of practice, along with continuity of care and education are central to our work. Depending on the stream, the approach to the scheduling of clinical experiences will vary. All Family Medicine residents will receive ongoing coaching and feedback, both informally and formally through our workplace-based assessment methods. Regularly scheduled periodic reviews provide an opportunity for self-reflection and coaching from a Competency Coach. Candidates who are self-directed and engage in reflective practice are particularly suited to our residency program.
Clinical Curriculum
The NOSM Family Medicine Clinical Curriculum incorporates a diversity of experience and proficiency in areas integral to community-based Family Practice. Each resident will spend significant time in the community practice of Family Medicine preceptors. Residents participate in all aspects of the practice, including provision of continuous care to their own patients within the practice and participation in the care of all in-hospital patients within the practice whenever possible. Participation in the care of the practice’s patients in multiple environments including the hospital, patient’s home and other scenarios is encouraged.
| Domains of Care | Curriculum Objectives |
|
Across the Life Cycle
|
|
| Care of Underserved Patients |
|
| Procedural Skills |
|
Throughout the program, elective rotations provide additional flexibility and enable residents to tailor their training to achieve competence in the domains of care and their individual learning objectives not met by immersions in the regular core rotations. Diversity of experience during elective rotations is encouraged and recognized as being extremely valuable.
Sample Clinical Rotation Schedule
Below is the typical NOSM Family Medicine Program Clinical Curriculum, represented in weeks. Due to the needs of the communities, some of the program streams will demonstrate slight differences in curriculum.
Note: Family physicians (preceptors) who do not do hospital rounds – residents are required to do three (3) additional weeks of Internal Medicine.
- North Bay = NBAY
- Rural Northern Ontario = RURAL
- Sault Ste. Marie = SSM
- Sudbury = SUD
- Thunder Bay = TBAY
- Timmins = TIMM
- Remote First Nations = RFN
PGY1 |
NBAY
|
RURAL
|
SSM
|
SUD
|
TBAY
|
TIMM
|
RFN
|
| Family Medicine | 16 | - | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | - |
| Family Medicine Rural | 8 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 16 |
| Internal Medicine | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
| Emergency Medicine | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Obstetrics/Women’s Health | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Mental Health | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Pediatrics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Anesthesia | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Geriatrics | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Electives | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
PGY2 |
NBAY
|
RURAL
|
SSM
|
SUD
|
TBAY
|
TIMM
|
RFN
|
| Family Medicine | 16 | - | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 24 |
| Family Medicine Rural | 8 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | - |
| Internal Medicine | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | - |
| Emergency Medicine | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Addictions/Pain Management | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 |
| Psychiatry | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8 |
| Obstetrics/Women’s Health | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Surgical Selective | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | - | - |
| General Surgery | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | - |
| Orthopedics | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Otorhinolaryngology | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Pediatrics | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Geriatrics | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Dermatology | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - |
| Electives | 8 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 8 |
Academic Program
The Family Medicine academic program consists of academic sessions, courses, and retreats. At this time, protected time every week affords a half day of teaching, separate from clinical duties. These sessions will cover the vast majority of CFPC's Priority Topics, along with some hands-on skills including simulations, procedural skills and other small group learning. Due to the pandemic, we have moved to a virtual method of delivery, with an eye to come together occasionally for mini-retreats at the end of blocks. In the first year of residency, all residents will participate in the Core Curriculum offered to all NOSM residents, across all specialties, which will cover key topics such as the Resident as Teacher, Indigenous health, medical errors and patient safety, etc. In addition, specific sessions in second year will be tailored to preparation for CFPC examination.
The NOSM program also provides financial support for residents to obtain certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP). Residents are also provided with some financial support to attend other courses or conferences such as Family Medicine Forum and Society of Rural Physicians Rural and Remote Medicine Conference.
Other learning sessions, virtual or in-person, are scattered throughout the year to address learning needs.
We value the importance of Wellness and encourage protected time for residents to gather and dialogue with each other on a regular basis.
Scholarly Activity
While the role of Scholar will evolve throughout the two-year program, a number of activities are planned in the program:
- Scholarly activity, including research and quality improvement (QI), supported by a Tutor
- Ongoing didactic and small group sessions focused on Evidence-Based Medicine, Research and Quality Improvement
- The opportunity to participate in Resident Research Day, where everyone will share their Scholarly Activity with peers.
These activities contribute to the development of effective teaching practices, formulating and investigating scholarly questions, and disseminating and communicating knowledge to professional audiences. Residents also contribute to the quality improvement of the Family medicine program by providing feedback on the clinical experiences and academic curriculum; this data is collected and utilized by the program to augment the overall program curriculum.
Training Sites
Please Note: IMG applicants who match to NOSM's Family Medicine Program will be assigned to a home-base location (options listed below) based on resident's choice, as site capacity allows.
Candidates are encouraged to have 2-3 communities in mind as possible home-base locations, and the program will make every effort to accommodate each resident's first choice request.
- Six Northern Ontario Family Medicine Streams:
- North Bay
- Sault Ste. Marie
- Sudbury
- Thunder Bay
- Timmins
- Rural - encompassing NOSM distributed clerkship sites, and other rural northern Ontario communities.
Rural Stream Communities
- Blind River
- Bracebridge
- Dryden
- Fort Frances
- Hearst
- Huntsville
- Kapuskasing
- Kenora
- Manitoulin Island
- Parry Sound
- Sioux Lookout
- Temiskaming Shores
- Other rural northern Ontario communities may also be considered as potential home-base locations, subject to preceptor availability/as site capacity allows.
To learn more about northern Ontario, please visit the "Wider Campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine" webpage.
Additional Information
As a socially accountable medical school, accountable to the needs and the diversity of the populations of northern Ontario, including Indigenous, Francophone, rural, remote, and underserviced communities, the NOSM Family Medicine program will be giving eligible IMG candidates with northern and rural experience preferred consideration in our ranking process.
Summary of changes
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