The MCC Journey: The Beginning towards Residency training

Like any application process, applying to residency training can be long, tedious and time-consuming but all doable. Below in the simplest way put are the overall steps: Step #01: Open an Account with Physiciansapply Before applying for any of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) exams, you first have to get your basic information and documents source verified through www.physiciansapply.ca. An initial fee is required to start an account and right after entering your information you can start the process of verifying required documents such as:

• Passport (this can be attested by a registrar or your dean – the document has a list of professionals who can attest it)
• University degree / diploma (if already received)
• Certified Identity confirmation form
• Release form

This is the beginning of the source verification process which has an additional cost and once submitted is sent to the MCC.  Step #02: Exams Next part is the exams. Up until very recent, the MCCEE (medical council of Canada evaluating exam) was a requirement for applying to residency. However, starting 2020 cycle the MCCEE would no longer exist. (we are still waiting to hear on how this would affect previous CaRMs applicants who have completed the exam). So that’s one exam less! PHEW! So far we have been informed that the MCCQE1 (Medical council of Canada Qualifying Exam part 1) and the NAC OSCE results will be required for the application process. The important thing to remember is the score. Obtaining a good score in these exams is important with the high level of competition. While preparing for the Exams I recommend going through www.carms.ca  – R1 program descriptions (https://www.carms.ca/match/r-1-main-residency-match/program-descriptions/) to know the specific program requirements in terms of scores (practically speaking they usually require more than what is on the description so keep that in mind). Other exam requirements are: 

• An English assessment, the most popular being IELTS (if your University is not recognized as an English teaching school). This exam expires every two years and would need to be re-done.
• BLS course: A basic life support course (at health care professional level) Expiry date apply depending on course type 
• CASPER: A mini interview like assessment that examines your team/work ethics. A provincial requirement  – varies from program to program
• BC-CAP: A clinical assessment provincial requirement for British Columbia (MCCQE1 is required to apply for the assessment, more details here: https://imgbc.med.ubc.ca/resource/clinical-assessment/) 

Step #03: Clinical Experience This part can be tricky because program directors prefer Canadian Health care experience via an Elective during med school or on-going independent practice. Canadian Observership is a hit and miss. For some programs it carries weight and for others it does not.  These requirements are not necessarily mentioned in the program description.  Overall, this process takes time but patience is key. Just keep breathing as you walk through it and you will be fine.  Leave any questions in the comments below and I shall get back to them.  Happy reading!