Featured Organization: Internationally Trained Physicians of Ontario (ITPO)

Banner that reads "ITPs have the #skillstohelp"

Internationally Trained Physicians of Ontario (ITPO) was started as a grassroots organization born out of the desire to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The health system had long since been unfavourable for internationally trained physicians (ITPs), but seeing patients suffer during the pandemic ignited a fire for advocacy that birthed a now federally incorporated non-profit organization. ITPO represents, advocates for and provides resources to ITPs across Canada.

ITPO’s advocacy efforts have always been geared towards raising the voice of ITPs, calling attention to the significant barriers that ITPs face when seeking licensure in Canada and offering solutions. ITPO requests and holds meetings with certification bodies, regulatory bodies, government officials and other healthcare stakeholders and presents them with proposals that they can choose to enact (see a version for Ontario available for download).

ITPO advocates for 3 major solutions:

Institution of the Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) in all provinces across Canada and expanding the number of PRA spots available
Increasing residency positions
Institution of an official clinical assistant position that is accepted as recency of practice and a stepping stone to licensure

To support ITPO's claims of the usefulness of ITPs, ITPO's Policy, Advocacy and Research committee has published a survey report (available for download) entitled “ITPs: A Diverse, Underutilised, Skilled, Health Human Resource”. This report provides evidence that the health system and Canadians will benefit from the licensure of ITPs. To learn more about ITPO’s advocacy, such as the #mppchats campaign or the #skillstohelp campaign, visit the ITPO website.

ITPO also provides ITPs with free resources. ITPO runs four main programs, including the Cracking the CaRMS program, in which matched ITP residents participate in webinars to share their experience, tips, and advice. The Besides the CaRMS program features ITPs who have succeeded in alternative routes to licensure, such as the PRA, who return to share guidance through webinars. Between the CaRMS seeks to give ITPs useful ways to spend time and improve their CV in between CaRMS cycles, and Before the CaRMS seeks to provide exam preparation resources for ITPs.

All ITPO resources are free to ITPO members, and membership is also free. ITPO also provides a community for ITPs who are already licensed or on the way to becoming licensed.