Electives

Authorization:  Applicants must have approval/authorization for the elective from their current Program Director and/or sponsoring agency, or Faculty Dean for overseas applicants.  Applicants from McGill University must include a letter of authorization from the McGill Postgraduate Medical Education Office with their application.

Minimum Training: International Medical School Graduates who are enrolled in an accredited medical school in Canada or the U.S. must have completed a minimum of 1 year of postgraduate residency training before the Elective begins.  Applicants enrolled in a training program outside of Canada or the U.S. must have completed a minimum of 2 years of postgraduate training and the language of patient care must have been in English or French.

Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE), or the Qualifying Examination Part 1, is required of International Medical School Graduates who are enrolled in an accredited Canadian or American medical school.

Funding / Sponsorship: Trainees continue to be paid by their home university or other sponsoring agency while taking an elective. International graduates enrolled in a university outside of Canada must be paid at salary levels equivalent to Ontario trainees.  Sponsorship must be approved by the University of Toronto, Postgraduate Medical Education Office.  Inquiries can be made directly to the PGMEO.

Licensure: An Ontario educational licence (CPSO Certificate of Registration for postgraduate medical education) is required. Applicants apply directly to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario(CPSO) for the Certificate at the same time as applying to the University. Training cannot begin without an educational licence.

Malpractice Insurance: Trainees must be covered by malpractice insurance while taking an elective. Provincial plans must be applicable to Ontario hospital rotations. If they are not applicable, trainees should apply to the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) for coverage. Trainees coming from outside of Canada need to apply to the CMPA. Training cannot begin without valid coverage.

University of Toronto Trainees (PGYs) planning to take an elective at any other medical school should speak to their Program Director and visit the Faculty of Medicine, PGMEO website Applicants, Elective Training page for important information before applying for an outside elective.

Trainees from Other Ontario Medical Schools who wish to take an elective in the Department of Medicine should contact the Program Director of the specialty or subspecialty of interest to arrange the elective appointment and for application instructions, or contact the Department Residency & Fellowship Postgraduate Education office.

Trainees registered at a Canadian medical school in a province other than Ontario, and Canadian citizens registered at U.S. medical schools, apply to the Department of Medicine through the program of interest for the elective rotation and to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for a Certificate of Registration for postgraduate medical education.

To arrange an elective and for application information, contact the Program Director of the specialty or subspecialty of interest, or contact the Department Residency & Fellowship Postgraduate Education office.

International Funded Visa-Trainees at Canadian Universities

Visa trainees enrolled at a Canadian University outside of Ontario must have the approval of their sponsoring agency for the elective and will need to change the work permit to allow elective training at the University of Toronto.  Changing the work permit will be facilitated by the University of Toronto PGME Office on receipt of the elective application from the UofT Program Director.  Applicants will receive instructions and supporting documentation from the PGME Office regarding the work permit.
 

Trainees From Out of Country (Includes the U.S.)

An elective must be authorized by the applicant's home University Postgraduate Dean or designate.  
Applicants from countries with which the University of Toronto has sponsorship agreements must also have the approval of the sponsor.  For more information concerning sponsorship approval, contact the PGME Office.
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Additional Requirements for Trainees from Non-North American Medical Schools

English/French language proficiency:  International Medical Graduates enrolled in postgraduate residency training outside of Canada or the United States must be eligible for licensure by the CPSO.  Currently, licencing requirements include the provision that the language of patient care used by candidates be English or French.  As CPSO requirements are subject to change, candidates are advised to consult with the CPSO directly, as well as to view the CPSO website at www.cpso.on.ca.

Pre-Entry Assessment Program (PEAP): Applicants who graduated from a non-North American medical school must successfully complete a 2 week period of assessment administered by the Department of Medicine faculty before they can begin elective training.  The duration of an elective, including the 2 week PEAP, cannot exceed six months.  Failure of the PEAP means automatic termination of the elective.  There is no appeal. 

For further information about elective training and application information, contact the Program Director of the specialty or subspecialty of interest, or contact the Department Residency & Fellowship Postgraduate Education office.

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