Key Steps
- Last updated: October 15, 2024
This information is taken from the MSSS’s Management Guide for Regional Physician Resource Plans in Family Medicine for 2023-2024 (Guide de gestion des plans régionaux d’effectifs médicaux en médecine de famille 2023-2024). The 2024-2025 Management guide will soon be available on the MSSS website in electronic version only.
Important Dates
Effective date of PREMs
The 2025 PREMs will be in effect from December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025.
- Initial PREM application period: October 15-31
- Initial period for processing of compliance notice applications: November 1 to February 14 the following year
First come, first served: February 15 onward
Spring
- Get the ball rolling!
- Contact the heads of DRMGs to find out their regions’ needs.
- Travel to visit practice sites (establishment, department, clinic).
- Make yourself known!
Fall
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) releases the table of regional physician resource plans (PREMs), i.e., the number of positions per region, and the list of priority needs (PEMs in establishments).
Obtaining a PREM in family medicine
(Videos in French only)
Applying for a compliance notice
The initial period of reception of applications for a PREM compliance notice runs from October 15 to 31 of the current year, inclusive. All applications received during that period are deemed to be received on October 31.
The application must be made on this appropriate electronic form : Demande d’avis de conformité aux PREM 2025 – Médecins omnipraticiens – MSSS (in French only). This form is the sole document to be sent in.
Candidates may not submit their compliance notice applications for the following year’s PREM to the MSSS before October 15 of the current year.
The MSSS sends each applicant an acknowledgment of receipt.
Any response to an applicant from a DRMG following the submission of a compliance notice application has to be sent by email.
Processing of a compliance notice application by the DRMG
Between November 1 and 11 of the current year, the MSSS forwards to the DRMGs the PREM compliance notice applications for the following year.
Applications received between October 15 and 31 inclusive are processed between November 1 and February 14.
Applications submitted after October 31 are processed at the end of the process, starting on February 15. When the number of positions available in the PREM of a sub-area which candidates have marked as their first choice is lower than or equal to the number of applications received for that sub-area, no selection is carried out, and the DRMG has to issue the compliance notice.
When the number of applications received for a sub-area exceeds the number of positions available in that sub-area’s PREM, all applications are evaluated by the DRMG. This evaluation must comply with the following selection process.
Examples
1. The number of applicants is equal to or lower than the number of positions — automatic selection – all applicants receive their PREM:
6 candidates apply with RLS de Verdun as their first choice
RLS de Verdun has 7 PREMs available
All 6 candidates receive their PREM automatically
2. There are more applicants than positions – selection by interview:
15 candidates apply with RLS de Verdun as their first choice
RLS de Verdun has 7 PREMs available
ALL candidates are interviewed
Selection Process
All candidates are interviewed. These interviews are conducted in person, but could in exceptional cases be carried by videoconference , if the candidate is unable to attend in person.
The objectives of the interview are the following:
- Evaluate the level of knowledge of special regional features, approach carried out, reason for this choice;
- Evaluate experience acquired, career path, achievements, challenges, and goals;
- Find out intentions in terms of professional interests and activities envisaged;
- Evaluate the level of knowledge of the healthcare system;
- Evaluate personality, capabilities and behaviour through scenarios whereby the candidate can show his qualities;
- Provide relevant information on the region;
- Answer the candidate’s questions;
- Interviews must be conducted in keeping with the hiring conditions established by the provincial human rights and youth rights commission.
WARNING! Questions should be asked about your interest in patient management, and not about your interest in a specific clinic. The choice of clinic where you perform your patient management will be left up to you.
- November 1, 2024 to February 14, 2025
- Between November 1 and Novembre 11, the MSSS relays the applications received to the DRMGs of the regions selected by the candidate.
- On December 13, 2024, all DRMGs respond to applicants in writing, confirming the area corresponding to their first or second choice, offering another sub-area that has remained vacant, or informing them that their application has been denied.
- No later than January 8, 2025, candidates must have responded to the DRMG in writing. Candidates failing to respond by January 8 are deemed to have refused their compliance nofice.
- If candidates are offered a place in a region’s PREM between December 14 and February 14, they will have a maximum of 5 days to give their response to the DRMG.
- From February 15, and for the rest of the current PREM year, candidates who are offered a place in a region’s PREM must respond within 10 days.
When positions are available in the PREM, the first come, first served principle is applied.
When the number of applications exceeds the number of positions available, all candidates are interviewed individually. These interviews are conducted in person, but could in exceptional cases be carried out via videoconference if the candidates are unable to attend in person.
The objectives of the interview are the following:
- Evaluate the level of knowledge of special regional features, approach carried out, reason for this choice;
- Evaluate experience acquired, career path, achievements, challenges, and goals;
- Find out intentions in terms of professional interests and activities envisaged;
- Evaluate level of knowledge of the healthcare system;
- Evaluate personality, capabilities, and behaviour through scenarios whereby candidates can show their qualities;
- Provide relevant information on the region;
- Answer candidates’ questions.
- Interviews must be conducted in line with the hiring conditions established by the provincial human rights and youth rights commission.
WARNING! You should be asked questions about your interest in patient management, and not about your interest in a specific clinic. The choice of clinic where you will be performing your patient management is yours.
Acceptance and Withdrawal
- A candidate who accepts the compliance notice offered by the DRMG is removed from the process.
- A candidate who refuses the compliance notice offered by the DRMG continues the process.
- No later than January 8, 2025, candidates must have responded to the DRMG in writing. Candidates failing to respond by January 8 are deemed to have refused their compliance nofice.
- If candidates are offered a place in a region’s PREM between December 14 and February 14, they will have a maximum of 5 days to give their response to the DRMG.
- From February 15, and for the rest of the current PREM year, candidates who are offered a place in a region’s PREM must respond within 10 days.
A candidate who first accepted and then withdrew from his compliance notice will have to submit a new application if he wants to receive a PREM compliance notice again. These new applications will be processed in the order in which applications are received at the Ministry after February 14.