Personal accounts - Canada, British Columbia

ACADEMIC

• Fall of R5 year
• Chose to complete her exams before leaving on the fellowship

• Sought advice from staff physicians in Geriatrics on how to approach different sites: emailed several institutions (Cardiology program directors)
• Also approached a Cardiologist specializing in the field, director of the Geriatric Cardiology program at McGill (the only officially recognized program in Quebec)

• Chose subspecialty out of personal interest, with experience in Geriatric Cardiology rotation at McGill
• Relevance of this field for her future position
• Consulted a cardiologist who had completed a fellowship in Geriatrics at UBC whose practice is geared to older clientele

• No formal interview, the supervisor was interested in hosting a Geriatrics fellow for 1 year
• Telephone chats helped develop a program geared to her needs

• English test (only the IELTS is recognized in BC)
• Letter of reference required for UBC
• Two letters of reference to obtain the BC permit to practise

• Fellowship not currently paid
• Possibility of self-financing (for her, practising Geriatrics), at the fellow’s discretion. She was given opportunities to practise to help pay for the fellowship

• None required

• N/A (Canadian province)

• N/A

 PERSONAL

• Form to be sent to RAMQ with planned dates of stay in BC, to obtain coverage during the year outside Quebec (usually covered for 6 months only)
• She recommends starting the process very early, because she had to deal with a lot of red tape

• Expect to pay a lot for accommodation in Vancouver

• Easily accessible with Quebec licence

• See section on health insurance

SPOUSE

OTHER