Characteristics and practice patterns of international medical graduates: how different are they from those of Canadian-trained physicians?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the personal characteristics and practice patterns of international medical graduates (IMGs) practising in southwestern Ontario and to compare them with the personal characteristics and practice patterns of Canadian-trained family physicians practising in the same region.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of data gathered from a census of family physicians.


METHODS
Southwestern Ontario.


METHODS
A total of 685 family physicians.


METHODS
Characteristics and practice patterns of IMG physicians and Canadian-trained physicians.


RESULTS
Among all family physicians practising in southwestern Ontario, 15.3% were IMGs. The IMGs were more likely than Canadian-trained medical graduates to be older and to have been in practice longer, and less likely to have completed a family medicine residency or to have been involved in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching. The IMGs were more likely to have practised longer in their current locations and to be in solo practice and accepting new patients, but were less likely to be providing maternity and newborn care. They were also more likely than Canadian-trained medical graduates were to be serving in small towns and rural and isolated communities.


CONCLUSIONS
The personal and practice characteristics of IMG physicians vary somewhat from those of their Canadian-trained colleagues. Policy efforts aimed at increasing and integrating IMG family physicians into the work force need to recognize these differences. Further research is needed before our results can be generalized to physicians practising beyond southwestern Ontario.
Thind
Amardeep
A
Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, University of Western Ontario in London. athind2@uwo.ca
Freeman
Tom
T
Cohen
Irene
I
Thorpe
Cathy
C
Burt
Andrea
A
Stewart
Moira
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*