The current situation regarding internships/residencies (an overview)

Today, NAMSA (North American Medical Students' Association) had their first meeting. They painted an overall picture for us Canadians. I dont remember all the details but here is what I got out of it:

The 3 options we have, as Canadians, after we graduate are: stay in Australia, match in the States and match in Canada. (Technically 4, if you include New Zealand and Singapore, but I have not researched that option properly)

1) Option 1 - Stay in Australia
Not likely unless you have connections, and even then its not likely. Internationals fight for the last couple of positions left over after all Australians and Newzealands have a go at them (in the same province). Last year, in the state of NSW, they were 17 intern positions short. Which basically means, 17 internationals who did their medicine in the state of NSW did not have internship positions. To save face, NSW created positions out of thin air. This will probably not happen anymore because from now on, when we get an offer from an NSW medicine school, we have to acknowledge that we are not gauranteed an internship position when we graduate.

We were also shown a trend for the next 4 years. 2 years from now, during the intership tsunami, it will get really ugly. As of now, there will not be enough positions for internationals for sure

2) Option 2 - Go to Canada
Depending on the choice of your residency, this might be easy or hard. GP and internal medicine is quite likely, although EM and other specialties are not likely at all. Please refer to the cARMS website

3) Option 3 - Go to the States
Canadians are more likely to match in the States than in Canada, even in strong specialties. Furthermore, if you do your training in the States, you will not have to do 'return of service' when you go back to Canada. And especially in Ontario, you will you literally just walk in and start practicing (you still have clear your licensing exams).

4) If you are choosing between Queensland and other Australian medical university. Strongly consider not going to Queensland. They are bulging with medical students, resourced are limited (it doesnt matter what their rep says, ask the students) and quality will suffer.

I will add more details to this post, with supporting evidence. This post was really for individuals who are looking for the big picture. Also, keep in mind that I will not able to do a proper report on this topic for a while, and you should really use my blog as a launching pad for your own research.

Overall, although the mood of the meeting was sort of gloomy, there was a hint of optimism. Canada is opening more, especially to us Australian graduates. However, if I was not under pressure to start a medical program as soon as possible, id take doing an extra year (heck even 2 years) of undergrad to increase my GPA.....over coming to Australia. But I guess, crap is always less unbearable on the other side.