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- PREM Process -

Key Steps

Key Steps
Your Obligations
Practising without a PREM
Bursary Recipients
  • Last updated: October 1, 2022
Important Dates
Obtaining a PREM in family medicine
Selection Process
Compliance notice application form

Important Dates

Effective date of PREMs

The 2023 PREMs take effect on December 1, 2022, and will terminate on November 30, 2023.

  • Initial PREM application period: October 15-31
  • First round: November 1 to January 20
  • Second round: January 21 to March 31
  • First come, first served: April 1 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 MSSS releases the table of regional physician resource plans (PREMs), i.e., the number of positions per region, number of positions per local services network (RLS), and the list of priority needs (PEMs in establishments).

Obtaining a PREM in family medicine

(Videos in French only)

Applying for a compliance notice

01.

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. 

02.

The application must be made on the appropriate electronic form, Formulaire électronique d’avis de conformité aux PREM 2023 – MSSS (in French only). This form is the sole document to be sent in.

03.

Candidates may not submit their compliance notice applications for the following year’s PREM to the MSSS before October 15 of the current year. 

04.

The MSSS sends each applicant an acknowledgment of receipt. 

05.

Any response to an applicant from a DRMG following the submission of a compliance notice application has to be sent by email, with c.c. to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS).

* If you have any questions, write to the MSSS at application_prem@msss.gouv.qc.ca.

Processing of a compliance notice application by the DRMG

On November 11 of the current year, the MSSS forwards to the DRMGs the compliance notice applications for the following year’s PREM.

Applications submitted after October 31 are processed at the end of the process, i.e., following the second round, as of April 1.

When the number of positions available in the PREM of a sub-area which candidates have marked as their first choice is lower than 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. There are fewer applicants than positions – automatic selection – all applicants receive their PREM:

  • 6 candidates apply with RLS de Verdun as their first choice

  • RLS de Verdun has 12 PREMs available

  • All 10 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 9 PREMs available

  • ALL candidates are interviewed

Selection Process

  • November 1, 2022 to January 20, 2023
  • On November 11, 2022, only the applicants’ first choice as listed on the compliance notice application is forwarded by the MSSS to the respective DRMGs.
  • No later than December 20, 2022, interviews are conducted by the DRMG.
  • No later than January 10, 2023, the DRMG responds to the applicant in writing, confirming the area corresponding to his first choice, offering another sub-area that has remained vacant, or informing him that his application has been denied.
  • WARNING: The applicant has 10 days to respond to the DRMG in writing. Should the applicant fail to respond within 10 days, the compliance notice is withdrawn.
  • No later than January 20, 2023, the DRMG forwards to the MSSS the names of candidates who have accepted their compliance notices, and the names of candidates not selected or who have refused their compliance notices.
  • On January 25, 2023, the MSSS forwards the compliance notices to the DRMGs concerned.
  • No later than January 28, 2023, the MSSS must have received the compliance notices signed by both parties.
  • January 21 to March 31, 2023
  • On February 2, 2023, the second choices entered on the compliance notice applications of candidates not selected in the first round are forwarded by the MSSS to the respective DRMGs.
  • No later than February 19, 2023, interviews are conducted by the DRMG.
  • No later than March 5, 2023, the DRMG must notify the candidate in writing of the decision.
  • WARNING: The applicant has 10 days to respond to the DRMG in writing. Should the applicant fail to respond within 10 days, the compliance notice is withdrawn.
  • No later than March 17, 2023, the DRMG forwards to the MSSS the names of candidates who have accepted their compliance notices, and the names of candidates not selected or who have refused their compliance notices.
  • On March 24, 2023, the MSSS forwards the compliance notices to the DRMGs concerned.
  • No later than March 31, 2023, the MSSS must have received the compliance notices signed by both parties.

When positions are available in the PREM, the first come, first served principle is applied.

Nevertheless, if the number of applications received on the same date exceeds the number of positions available in the PREM, the DRMG has to conduct candidate selection, in line with the following principles:

  • A selection committee must be formed;
  • The selection criteria have to be limited to matters within the DRMG’s jurisdiction;
  • All candidates are interviewed;
  • No letter of recommendation from a medical clinic may be considered in determining the choice of candidate.

Interview and Selection Criteria

 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. 

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.
  • A candidate who does not respond within 10 days is deemed to have refused, and so continues the process.

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. This new application will be processed in the order in which applications are received at the Ministry after October 31, i.e., once the second round has been completed.

Compliance notice application form

This form (in French only), to be found on the MSSS site, must be completed electronically.

MSSS Application form