ITMD BRIDGE Newsletter, Vol. 1, Fall 2017 1

Message from the Co-Founder and Program Manager/Lead, ITMD Bridging Program, Ryerson University

Internationally trained medical doctors (ITMDs) experience significant challenges becoming licensed in Canada, particularly in Ontario. As a result, a large number of ITMDs either choose a non-healthcare related career below their skill level or remain unemployed. There is a need for alternative career programs to utilize the pool of available ITMDs and to assist their transition into non-licensed jobs in the health sector. To address this problem, Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education launched the Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMD) Bridging Program in 2015. This program is a unique learning opportunity that has been specially designed for ITMDs, dental surgeons, and clinical public health professionals with an objective to facilitate the successful and accelerated integration of highly skilled and experienced ITMDs for non-licensed healthcare jobs into the Ontario workforce.

The program was well received by our partners and stakeholders in the health sector. Because of the huge success of the pilot program, the initiative soon became a regular bridging program at The Chang School to help support ITMDs to transition into alternative careers and continues to do so to date.

This bridging program consists of 12 weeks of in-class sessions in health research methodology, health informatics, data management, fundamentals of project management for health professionals, leadership skills, and Canadian workplace culture. After completing the in-class courses, students may participate in an optional, 6-8 week practicum placement at a leading healthcare organization in Toronto, followed by several weeks of employment search preparation.

I am very proud to report that 85 students have graduated in the first 5 cohorts and there are currently 21 students studying in Cohort 6, which makes it an excellent network of 106 dedicated students and alumni representing 31 countries. The program has a very high success rate with over 80% of ITMD graduates who have either secured employment or are currently pursuing their postgraduate studies. There is huge demand for an ITMD bridging program among international trained medical doctors living in the GTA and other parts of Ontario. We have consistently received an unprecedented number of applications for each cohort for this competitive program and its popularity continues to grow. This program brings recognition among the healthcare industry in Toronto about ITMDs’ capabilities and potential for employment and our partners are very helpful to assist students and alumni.

I would like to thank The Chang School, all of our partners, and our alumni for their help and continued support towards the success of this program.

BRIDGE Newsletter

INTERNATIONALLY TRAINED MEDICAL DOCTORS (ITMDs)

VOL.1, FALL 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the

Co-founder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Roadmap for ITMDs . . . . . . . . . 1

ITMD Participants . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Our Support Partners . . . . . . . . 3

Alumni Inspirations . . . . . . . . . . 3

ITMDs’ Selected Publications . . 3

Participants’ Reflections . . . . . . 4

Related Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Media News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ICaN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Useful Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

EDITORIAL BOARD

Chief Advisor:

Dr. Shafi Bhuiyan, PhD

Editorial Lead:

Aisha Hamdam

Editors:

Walaa K Sabih

Emal Stanizai

Mosiur Rahman

Dilusha Thiyagaratnam

Roadmap for ITMDs: Evidence-based Study

Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, with financial assistance from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) has developed a roadmap study project to identify alternative career pathways for internationally trained medical doctors (ITMDs) to transition into non-licensed health sector employment in Canada. This is an evidence-based study which aims to develop an understanding of the skills, competencies, barriers, and opportunities relevant to ITMDs seeking employment in the non-licensed healthcare sector.

The study consists of online surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups with applicants, students, and graduates of the ITMD Bridging Program, as well as stakeholders including subject matter experts and employers in the healthcare sector. Content analysis will also be conducted on existing evaluation documents. At the end of the project, a roadmap will be developed that highlights alternative career pathways for ITMDs which will facilitate their transition to non-licensed healthcare employment.

This research project is funded by:

Dr. Shafi U. Bhuiyan

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ITMD Participants

The Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMD) Bridging Program has successfully trained 85 ITMDs. Moreover, another 21 internationally trained medical professionals are currently enrolled in the ITMD program. All participants are of diverse backgrounds and originate from 31 countries.

YEAR COHORT PARTICIPANTS

2015

1Amir Ahari, Obinna Anyabolu. Prudence Ionie Buchanan, Amira Ahmed Hamed Eldawaiaty, Dalya Sabry Elsanadidy, Seyed Behnam Hashemi, Md. Shahadat Hossain, Tarek A. Ibrahim, Chitra Jacob, Marzyeh Moazenzadeh, Tetyana Nedoshytko, Marijana Pajic, Walaa Khalid Sabih, Sadia Sohail

2Alemayehu G. Abeya, Hamidullah Akbari, Mohamed Said Elmokadem, Silvia George, Mariam Iritsyan, Siddharth Joshi, Dharmistha Kaul, Amila Piyathilake, Arifa Rahman, Mosiur Rahman, Nisrine Salameh, Noma Salman, Prateek Sardana, Haifeng (Frank) Yu

2016

3

Ayman Abdelhady, Omar Abdelmonem, Mira Abdelshahid, Nour Amiri, Baskaran Annalingam, Ibrahim Elsharawi, Nancy Gupta, Habeeb Khan, Nazish Malik, Nam Nguyen, Abu Sadat Mohammad Nurunnabi, Saloomeh Oudji, Nayeemur Rahman, Imad El Sadek, Zalmay Sahak, Saima Saleem, Prakash Shah, Mizanur Shuvra, Nkiruka Uzonwanne

4Shiva Barati, Deena, Sabeen Ehsan, Onize Ekome, Rijwana Haque, Hany Ibrahim, Andrey Kildyushov, Mahnaz Mansouri, Darlene Montes Fetalvero, Marco Morcos, Naila Naz

2017

5

Suulaf al mufti, Sadia Afreen, Catherine Allen Ayodabo, Mohammad Biswas, Maryam Danesh, Ethige Prasantha De Silva, Mohaddeseh (Moha) Gholizadesh, Aisha Hamdam, Karim Yousry Megaly Kerolos, Rakesh Kuma, Youssef Metry, Omima Hassan Abdelwahab Mohidin, Ayeshah Mohiuddin, Nabiha Batool Musavi, Rachen Ninan, Seyed Hossein Saadat, Ovwe Oteri Sowho, Emal Stanizai

6

Yossra Abdallateef, Ahmad Al-Araji, Hiba Alzubaidi, Marium Anwar, Abiodun Babayeju, Venus Benigno, Rashed Choudhury, Neelam Dehal, Hamidreza Goodarzynejad, Nazish Gul, Maged Micheal, Samson Moses, Dharshika Muthuthevar, Fatima Naeem, Jose R. Rodriguez, Wagma Saad, Hitoshi Sawaoka, Michelle Sumner-Williams, Mubariz Tariq, Jorge Telchi, Dilusha Thiyagaratnam

5 Afghanistan

1 Armenia

1 Bahrain

12 Bangladesh

1 Bolivia

1 Canada

1 China

15 Egypt

1 Ethiopia

1 El Salvador

1 Guyana

10 India

12 Iran

3 Iraq

1 Jamaica

1 Japan

1 Lebanon

2 Libya

1 Nepal

5 Nigeria

13 Pakistan

1 Palestine

3 Philippines

1 Russia

1 Serbia

1 South Africa

4 Sri Lanka

1 Sudan

3 Syria

1 Ukraine

1 Vietnam

ITMD BRIDGE Newsletter, Vol. 1, Fall 2017 3

Alumni Inspirations – Walaa K. Sabih, Cohort 1

Walaa Sabih graduated from the College of Medicine Baghdad University, Iraq. She trained in Neonatal Medicine after which she specialized in Community Medicine. Her compassion lies in reaching out and working with the community. She trained in Texas as a Program Manager for the Komen Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness, implementing this program in Abu Dhabi, coordinating and actively participating in community outreach projects for cancer awareness and policy in the Emirates. Walaa enjoys qualitative and quantitative research and participated in a number of international conferences on breast cancer and lactation. Finally, prior to returning to Canada, she was recruited by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for quality improvement and quality assurance.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education’s Internationally Trained Medical Doctors (ITMD) Bridging Program, in addition to the professional knowledge and experience, is enriched with communication and networking

skills that allowed Walaa to successfully navigate options within the Canadian Healthcare system. After completing the ITMD program, she was recruited by Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Breast Assessment Centre as Project Lead for a Breast Cancer Outreach Program funded by Cancer Care Ontario and developed the work plan, goals, objectives, and milestones for the program. She coordinated the development of community and healthcare based outreach teams which aided to coordinate the successful implementation of the program. She also designed and conducted a breast cancer survivor survey which served as the basis for implementation of change in hospital services for breast cancer patients and survivors.

Finally, Walaa developed a community-based breast cancer advocacy training program and manual for community teams and conducted the first training workshop in collaboration with the Breast Assessment Centre in the hospital. She is now preparing for a new adventure.

ITMDs’ Selected Publications

Amir Ahari, ITMD Cohort 1 Ahari, A., N. Gupta, J. Hanna, E. Mathieu, Y.H. Yucel, and X. Zhou. (2017)”Evidence for cerebrospinal fluid entry into the optic nerve via a glymphatic pathway.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58, 4784-4791. doi:10.1167/iovs.17-2229

Sadia Sohail, ITMD Cohort 1 Bernstein, Joyce, Lee Ford-Jones, Aideen M. Moore, Sonam Shah, Sadia Sohail, Gillian Thompson, and Ashley Vandermorris. (2017) “Three hundred babies born to underhoused mothers in Toronto – understanding the problem and how we can help” Paediatrics & Child Health, 22(5), 282-284

Tarek Ibrahim, ITMD Cohort 1 Ibrahim, Tarek et al. (2017) “Effect of femtosecond laser on efficiency of cataract surgery in public setting.” Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. doi:dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjo.2017.07.010

Navid Ahmady Roozbahany, ITMD Cohort 4 Majdinasab, N., S. Nateghinia, M. Oroei, and N. Roozbahany. (2016) “Adult Onset Otitis Media with Effusion: Prevalence and Etiology” Journal of Hearing Sciences and Otolaryngology, 1(2), 35-38

Sadia Afreen, ITMD Cohort 5 Afreen, S., A. Lin, B.F. Arnold, et al. (2013) “Household Environmental Conditions Are Associated with Enteropathy and Impaired Growth in Rural Bangladesh” The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 89(1), 130-137

Neelam Dehal, ITMD Cohort 6 Dehal, N., T. Kanchan, K. Krishan, and A. Singh (2017) “Mandatory Publications: An Approach to Kill ‘Lack of Will’ or ‘Lack of Skill’?” Science and Engineering Ethics. doi:10.1007/s11948-017-9903-5

Shafi Bhuiyan, ITMD Co-Founder Begum, H., S. Bhuiyan, Deena, S. Ehsan, S.J. Shah, et al. (2017) “Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook and Its Effect on Maternal and Child Health Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health 02, 1-13

Shafi Bhuiyan, ITMD Co-Founder Bhuiyan, Shafi et al. (2017) “Maternal and child health handbook: Utilization and lessons learned from selected evidence-based studies” Journal of Community Medicine & Public Health, 15(2), 87-100

OUR SUPPORT PARTNERS

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Participants’ Reflections – Aisha Hamdam, Cohort 5

Moving into a new home is challenging. Feelings mix between happiness, the joy of new opportunities, and the fears of unexpected pressures. I accepted Canada as my new home, although I faced a number of challenges such as communication styles, identity formation, socialization, cultural competency, and acceptance to change.

During the past three years in Canada, I remember meeting many international medical graduates who shared their stories of failure with me. It’s unfortunate for most of us to encounter disappointment, not being able to practice as a medical doctor in Canada. However, something that is not happening for you right now does not mean that it will never happen. I totally agree with this statement after joining the ITMD bridging program.

The past experiences of a diverse group of colleagues and the skills of highly experienced instructors enriched my knowledge. It was not surprising that the Canadian workplace culture and communication styles differ greatly from those

in the Arab Gulf countries and Eastern world. What surprised me most was that the majority of participants in the program were unaware of the skills needed for proper communication in the Canadian workplace. This program provides the essential soft skills and knowledge needed to gain employment in the non-licensed healthcare sector in Canada. Furthermore, the practicum placement is an opportunity to connect with prominent healthcare professionals at leading Canadian institutions. I see this as an important stepping stone to reach the next level in my career.

I believe that life is a continuous process of learning. We age as years pass, yet continuously develop through our experiences and attain new knowledge. I endlessly thank God for giving me countless blessings, one of which is the ITMD bridging program. I now feel much more confident to face job challenges in Canada because I learned the right approach and above all, because I love my home.

Media News – Dilusha Thiyagaratnam, Cohort 6Since its inception in 2015, media interest in ITMDs has increased considerably. In the first two years since the launch of the program, 12 reports appeared in print, online, and in video format. This year alone, ITMDs are featured on seven occasions in academic newspapers, government websites, and not-for-profit media channels.

Related Events

Health Quality Transformation: Quality Matters 2017October 24, 2017Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ONContact: HQT@HQOntario.caWebsite: hqontario.ca/Events/Health-Quality-Transformation-2017

Canadian Conference on Global Health 2017October 29-31, 2017Canadian Society for International Health, Ottawa, ONContact: ccgh@csih.orgWebsite: csih.org/en/events/canadian-conference-global-health

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook – Born in Japan, Flourishing around the World Speaker: Yasuhide Nakamura, MD, PhDChair: Shafi U. Bhuiyan, MD, MPH, MBA, PhDNovember 2, 2017University of Toronto, Munk School of Global Affairs, Toronto, ONContact: Eileen Lam (eileeen.lam@utoronto.ca)Website: dlsph.utoronto.ca/event/maternal-and-child-health-mch-handbook-born-in-japan-flourishing-around-the-world/

2018 Annual CUGH Global Health ConferenceSpeaker: Dr. Shafi U. Bhuiyan, MD, MPH, MBA, PhDMarch 15-18, 2018New York Hilton Midtown, New York, NYWebsite: cugh.org/events/2018-annual-cugh-global-health-conference

USEFUL LINKS itmds@ryerson.ca ryerson.ca/ce/itmd linkedin.com/groups/12044563 facebook.com/groups/349476948819065

ITMDs Canadian Network (ICaN)

The ITMDs Canadian Network (ICaN) board contributes to the maintenance of a strong relationship with all partners and stakeholders for alternative job opportunities for ITMDs. The board is responsible for providing advocacy, guidance, stewardship, strategic directions, and policy advice to ICaN. Board members are also responsible for developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with the membership and, through this linkage, keep ICaN abreast of the current issues in non-licensed healthcare careers.

Founding Board Chair:Dr. Shafi U. Bhuiyan2017-2018 Board Members:Dr. Amir Ahari Dr. Nour Alhoda AmiriDr. Shiva BaratiDr. Mohammad Biswas

Dr. Mohaddeseh GholizadehDr. Rijwana HaqueDr. Maged MichaelDr. Amal Abdelhady M. RezkDr. Muhammad Mizanur ShuvraDr. Emal StanizaiDr. Dilusha Thiyagaratnam