IMG independent licenses up 43% in 2008

TORONTO - A report released today by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) shows new licenses were issued to more doctors in 2008 than ever before. The record number of 3,467 certificates of registration issued continues a decade-long upward trend.

The report, Registering Success, highlights a number of historic statistics, particularly for international medical graduates (IMGs). For example, in 2008, IMGs were issued 393 independent practice certificates, breaking a record set in 1985. This also surpasses 2007's number of unsupervised licenses for IMGs by 43%, a record one-year increase.

In fact, the development of CPSO registration policies and programs have allowed for the issuance of 1,355 practice certificates since 2002, the majority going to IMGs.

"IMGs benefit from our registration policies that allow them to enter medical practice here under a restricted license," said College President Dr. Rayudu Koka. "In time, these physicians can become eligible for independent (unsupervised) practice - which makes Ontario an attractive place to start a medical practice," he said. Dr. Koka is the fourth IMG to serve as College President in the past 10 years.

"These results demonstrate that Ontario is making significant progress in ensuring more patients have access to care," said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. "I commend the College for this remarkable success, particularly for the tremendous work done to recognize and license international medical graduates."

Other key highlights from the report include: - 1,511 practice certificates were issued in 2008 - the highest annual total since 1985 (includes all license classes except the educational class);

- Issuance of independent (unsupervised) practice certificates to IMGs has nearly quadrupled since 2000;

- Overall supply of physicians in practice is up 16% since 1997 (from 20,133 to 23,266).

The full report is available on-line at www.cpso.on.ca under What's New.