Canada

carpetbagger

(4,882 posts) Mon Nov 11, 2024, 06:36 PM Nov 11

Advice for a slightly-old American physician

almost-55 year old family physician with boarding in palliative medicine, last 24 years with the US Department of Veterans Affairs. I don't want to live in a dictatorship, never have, and I also don't care to ply my trade for what would be ultimately someone else's profit. Canadian partner, originally NL but most of her siblings live in Alberta (yes, I know the provincial politics of Texas with Better Donuts). We're going to stick it out here for a year or two, she's got some things to do here, and I'm going to take an early retirement to spend some time with her, with me, and with my own family (Florida, Maryland, Vermont).

So if around 57 I emigrate to Canada, I already know the requirements for licensure/boarding recognition, etc., and the initial contingent licensure. I'm not all that interested in a massive practice, or even working all year. Having performed niche duties at the VA for so long (hospice, dementia unit, geriatrics, spinal cord injury, ALS clinic, addiction medicine), I've become quite rusty with children, women's' health (mitigated in part because I used to do quite a bit of each early in my career), and with simple urgent care stuff.

If anyone has any ideas, what would be the outlook for working at that time in a part-time or part-year setting, where I wouldn't be running a full schedule, but also without the need to pull in much of a paycheck due to my savings and probable American pension/Social Security? message or respond, interested in all advice/ideas, although especially appreciate those in the field.

5 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Advice for a slightly-old American physician (Original Post) carpetbagger Nov 11 OP

The one thing I know is that Canada is in dire need of family physicians... Spazito Nov 11 #1

Thanks carpetbagger Nov 11 #3

That is definitely a different way of looking at it, probably a more... Spazito Nov 11 #4

If you're willing to practice as a family doctor for even a few years, Express Entry should be possible Fiendish Thingy Nov 11 #2

Thanks. carpetbagger Nov 11 #5

Spazito

(54,832 posts)

1. The one thing I know is that Canada is in dire need of family physicians...

Reply to carpetbagger (Original post)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 06:54 PM

Nov 11

so I hope, in whatever capacity you can, you do come to Canada. I live in Alberta and, as much as we need family physicians here, I wouldn't recommend settling here as the current provincial government is in the midst of taking apart the health ministry and dividing it into separate parts and it will be an unmitigated disaster.

Good luck, I hope you get the advice/ideas that will help you toward making the best decision for everyone in your family.

carpetbagger

(4,882 posts)

3. Thanks

Reply to Spazito (Reply #1)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 08:18 PM

Nov 11

Unfortunately, as the chips fall, my girlfriend's mother and four of her five siblings live in Alberta (the other in N.B.). I have been following the issues with the health ministry, and unfortunately I have an American perspective on the thing, so it feels like looking out from my burning house and watching the neighbor burn toast.

Spazito

(54,832 posts)

4. That is definitely a different way of looking at it, probably a more...

Reply to carpetbagger (Reply #3)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 08:27 PM

Nov 11

positive view than I have presently, it is all relative no doubt.

Fiendish Thingy

(18,801 posts)

2. If you're willing to practice as a family doctor for even a few years, Express Entry should be possible

Reply to carpetbagger (Original post)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 07:17 PM

Nov 11

I highly recommend you consult an immigration lawyer with experience in Canada law.

Your age may be an obstacle, but Canada is desperate for family doctors, so encourage you to apply.

Look into Vancouver Island - the mildest weather in Canada, with lots of natural beauty, we love it!

carpetbagger

(4,882 posts)

5. Thanks.

Reply to Fiendish Thingy (Reply #2)

Mon Nov 11, 2024, 08:49 PM

Nov 11

If we do it, my partner would sponsor me for immigration. Otherwise, it should be possible to get express entry and provisional licensure, but my hope is to not do the full work grind if avoidable, and that would require a sponsor for immigration as well as for the licensure.

I visited Vancouver Island in the 2000s, it's a really nice place. Unfortunately, it's also a bit far for getting to Alberta and her family frequently, but BC isn't off the map in terms of an ultimate retirement location if we don't weather the peculiar problems in the states.

Reply to this discussion