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. 2008 May;3(4):e129-38.

Analysis of international migration patterns affecting physician supply in Canada

Mamoru Watanabe  1 , Melanie Comeau, Lynda Buske
Affiliations

Analysis of international migration patterns affecting physician supply in Canada

Mamoru Watanabe et al. Healthc Policy. 2008 May.

Abstract
in English, French

This paper analyzes the migration patterns of both Canadian medical school graduates and international medical graduates (IMGs), and the impact of these patterns on physician supply in Canada. Immigration patterns of IMGs have changed over time, with fewer physicians from the United Kingdom and more from South Africa. A large portion of IMGs who leave Canada (43%) return "home." Recently, the average duration of practice in Canada for these doctors has been three years, a finding that suggests many came for educational purposes or to acquire skills. The heterogeneity and complexity of international migration are highlighted in this paper.

Cet article analyse les schémas de migration des diplômés en médecine d'écoles canadiennes et de ceux venant de l'étranger, et étudie l'impact de ces schémas sur la disponibilité de médecins au Canada. Les schémas d'immigration des diplômés de l'étranger se sont modifiés au cours des années : moins de médecins proviennent du Royaume-Uni et plus viennent de l'Afrique du Sud. Une grande part des diplômés de l'étranger quittent le Canada (43 %) pour retourner au pays où ils ont obtenu leur diplôme. Récemment, le temps moyen de pratique au Canada pour ces médecins était de trois ans, donnée qui suggère que plusieurs d'entre eux sont venus pour obtenir une formation ou acquérir des compétences. L'hétérogénéité et la complexité de la migration internationale sont mis en relief dans l'article.

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Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Active IMGs in Canada, by country of graduation
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
IMGs who moved abroad between 1995 and 2005 (licensed before 1995)
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
IMGs who moved abroad between 1995 and 2005 (licensed between 1995 and 2005)
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References

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