Don’t forget Canadian MDs studying abroad

Canada’s medical students and trainees deserve better, Opinion, Feb 20

Although I agree with Dr. Adam Kassam’s column on the plight of Canada’s medical students, let’s not forget that we also have a group of very bright and motivated Canadians studying medicine abroad. These students undergo the same rigorous medical training as Canadian students. Their intense passion for a medical career is so strong that, even though they were not accepted into Canadian medical schools, they pursue their dream abroad.

People may not know the strenuous journey of a Canadian studying medicine in the U.S. They must pass the gruelling U.S. medical exams plus Canadian qualifying exams before they can even participate in the Canadian Resident Matching System.

Canada has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed nations. We need more physicians and we want to attract the best and brightest from both here and abroad.

We should provide opportunities to attract these young men and women who grew up in our midst and were trained abroad. Ivy Yeung, Toronto