College of Family Physicians backs down on 3rd year of training amid outcry – CBC

Decision comes after family doctors vote overwhelmingly against extending training

Nov 15, 2023

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) says it has heard the concerns of doctors across the country who opposed plans for a third year of training, originally scheduled to start in 2027.

“We have ceased the implementation of the third year in family medicine residency training and will undertake a comprehensive review of this decision,” newly elected CFPC president Dr. Michael Green wrote in a statement.

He said the college would collaborate with its members, chapters and partners “to address current and future challenges in family medicine together.”

More than 91 per cent of the 2,775 physicians registered to vote at the CFPC’s annual membership meeting Nov. 1 approved a motion to “immediately cease the implementation of the third year in family practice program,” establish an independent review committee to present recommendations, and then decide what to do, based on evidence.

Paul Dhillon, a family physician from Sechelt, B.C., introduced the motion and three others calling for more transparency. He called the decision “a great first step.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/physicians-college-reversal-1.7028247