Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
BMC Med Educ. 2023 May 24;23(1):376. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04367-1.
An increasing number of Canadians are choosing to study medicine abroad (CSA); however, many CSA are not fully informed of the challenges that exist in returning to Canada to practice and relatively little information is known on the topic. This study explores CSA experiences in choosing to study abroad and their attempts to navigate a return to Canada to practice medicine.
We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with CSA who were attending medical school abroad, waiting to obtain or in a post-graduate residency program, or practicing in Canada. We asked participants about their decision to study medicine abroad and choice of school, medical school experiences, activities they engaged in to increase their likelihood of returning to Canada, perceived barriers and facilitators, and alternative plans if they were unable to return to Canada to practice. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
Fourteen CSA participated in an interview. Expedited timelines (i.e., direct entry from high school) and a lack of competitiveness for medical school in Canada were the main justifications for CSAs' decision to study abroad and a number of key factors (e.g., location, reputation) influenced their choice of school. Participants reported not fully anticipating the challenges associated with obtaining residency in Canada. CSA relied upon a variety of informal and formal supports and employed numerous methods to increase their likelihood of returning to Canada.
Studying medicine abroad remains a popular choice for Canadians; however, many trainees are unaware of the challenges associated with returning to Canada to practice. More information on this process as well as the quality of these medical schools is needed for Canadians considering this option.
越来越多的加拿大人选择在国外学习医学（CSA）；然而，许多 CSA 对返回加拿大行医所面临的挑战并不完全了解，关于这个话题的信息相对较少。本研究探讨了 CSA 在选择出国留学时的经历以及他们试图返回加拿大行医的经历。
我们对正在国外就读医学院、等待获得或正在参加研究生住院医师实习项目或在加拿大行医的 CSA 进行了半结构化定性访谈。我们询问了参与者选择出国留学和选择学校的原因、医学院的经历、他们为增加返回加拿大的可能性而参与的活动、感知到的障碍和促进因素、以及如果他们无法返回加拿大行医的替代计划。对访谈进行了转录，并使用主题分析方法进行了分析。
14 名 CSA 参加了访谈。加快时间表（即，直接从高中入学）和加拿大医学院入学竞争不激烈是 CSA 选择出国留学的主要理由，许多关键因素（如地点、声誉）影响了他们的学校选择。参与者报告说，他们没有充分预料到在加拿大获得住院医师资格所带来的挑战。CSA 依靠各种非正式和正式的支持，并采用了多种方法来增加他们返回加拿大的可能性。
在国外学习医学仍然是加拿大人的热门选择；然而，许多学员并不知道返回加拿大行医所面临的挑战。对于考虑这种选择的加拿大人来说，需要更多关于这个过程以及这些医学院质量的信息。
