Medical Education in canada

There are several phases to a contemporary Canadian medical education. The first part of the admissions process in most Canadian universities is passing the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to assess problem-solving, critical-thinking and writing skills and comprehension of scientific concepts. The way the test is used in admission varies by the medical school. An undergraduate degree is necessary before admission to most Canadian medical schools, but some schools (such as the University of Saskatchewan) require only 2 years of baccalaureate education. Students then attend medical school where they are taught the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes of the physician. Upon completion of their medical study, students are awarded the degree of medical doctor (MD).

                            To be eligible for a licence to practise, all MDs must complete at least one year of internship during which time they work under supervision in a hospital or clinic, gaining practical experience and increasing responsibility for the care of patients. Many graduates choose to undertake a minimum 2-year training program leading to accreditation by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and become a family physician; others enter 4- or 5-year programs leading to certification in one of the 44 medical specialties recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and become a specialist. To become a subspecialist, such as in neurosurgery or adolescent medicine, an additional 2 years of training in the subspecialty is required.
Accreditation of Medical SchoolsSince 1934 schools in Canada have been regularly accredited by the US body now called the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. With the advent of universal healthcare in Canada in 1970 the patterns of medical care and practice in the United States and Canada began to diverge, making it necessary for Canada to adopt a system of accreditation more appropriate to the country's needs. Accordingly, in 1979 the Committee on the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools was formed as an independent body to examine and attest to the quality of educational programs in Canadian medical schools. Schools in Canada are now jointly accredited by both bodies, with the assurance that Canadian schools meet Canadian standards.