Stand out of the crowd as a medical professional in Canada
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Learn Medical Communication for Canada
Can you answer YES to any of these statements?
- I want to learn how to stand out in medical residency interviews
- I want to learn how to talk about my experience to match with the best medical schools
- I need online self-paced courses at a reasonable price
- Courses are easy to understand, but challenge my current skills
- I have to prepare for Canadian certification examinations in family medicine.
- I feel overwhelmed and need support to organize my thoughts
Why I Created This Website
Canada isn't perfect
Through my experience with international medical graduates (IMGs) in Canada, I realized there is a lack of specialized guidance and linguistic support for IMGs or foreign trained doctors. As a result, many slip through the cracks of our education and settlement programs. This website serves as a platform to address language and communication issues without judgement or ranking. The purpose is to help newcomer medical professionals explore the best English communication practices related to their circumstances and goals for life and work in Canada.
We are friendly, but it can feel cold
Being a newcomer medical professional in Canada can feel lonely. It is important to connect with other IMG newcomers, people in your neighbourhood, and local healthcare professionals to build a sense of belonging and support in your new community. Canada is a BIG country! Distance and cold weather can make it challenging to meet up with friends. This virtual community simply provides another way for IMG newcomers across Canada to feel connected and welcome. You can learn how to establish professional and social networks in Canada through the courses, blogs, and online discussion groups.
What I do
- Create digital self-paced training courses with the specific language and communication skills expected in residency interviews and exams
- Write blogs based on topics related to language and communication, Canadian culture, patient-centred care, self-care
- Provide feedback to help you focus on your specific goals
- Deliver unique "outside the box" active learning opportunities to improve understanding of language and life in Canada
Who?
These courses are for you if you are…
- an International Medical Graduate (IMG) or healthcare professional preparing to work in Canada
- looking for convenient, accessible and user friendly designs that maximize your learning and fit in your schedule
- able to access the internet with a computer, tablet or mobile device
- preparing for CaRMS or medical exams (e.g. SOOs, OSCE, SAMPS)
- at an intermediate level of English or higher (IELTS 6+)
- seeking specific feedback to help you improve your performance
Mission
To help medical professionals reach and maintain Canadian healthcare standards in COMMUNICATION in order to improve performance on the required exams and develop the language skills needed for superior patient-centred care.
There are many challenges to face on the settlement journey in Canada. I hope these courses can assist you in navigating the journey toward your CANADIAN DREAM.
I Teach.
Gain clarity on what the barriers to your progress are and how to overcome them. Learn how to “think outside the box” without changing who you are.
I Coach.
Get support and feedback for course assignments with online discussions, personal coaching and emails. Build skills and strategies to improve English communication, ethics and professionalism.
I Write.
My blogs include topics and themes that explore physician wellness, patient-centred care, how to demonstrate CanMEDS competencies with improved communication skills, Canadian cultures, and advocating for social justice.
My E-Books & Courses
On-demand digital courses and workbooks designed to improve your English medical communication performance for patient-centred care, the SOOs or OSCEs, oral presentations, professional writing and more!
My Approach:
My role in your learning is to act as an educational coach providing guidance, so that you can use your own knowledge and experience in the context of your personal circumstances. I will work with you to help you figure out what you need to focus on to achieve your goals. Playing an active role in your own learning leads to better success because it is aligned with your personal experience, needs, strengths, and preferences. Learner-centred strategies save time and have long lasting results.
Testimonials
“I have had the pleasure of working with Maria throughout my CaRMS journey. I have always been a little sceptical about consultants because I have received generic advice from many. Maria however, is nothing like that. She really gets to know you which I think is so important to give you regrant advice. She is well informed of the process and is so compassionate. I have always felt her care and warmth emanate whenever I’m speaking with her. She is always willing to help and goes above and beyond to make sure you succeed. I wholeheartedly recommend her if you’re looking for a kind and informed guide through the CaRMS journey.”
Chandni Imtiyaz Desai MBBS
MATCHED - UBC
Knowing Canada vs. Understanding Canada:
Set your expectations accordingly if you are a newcomer
Starting your life in a new country can be an exciting adventure. I know this because I have done it more than once. At first, you are happy just getting there, leaving behind “the thing” that made you want to leave in the first place. You feel relieved the immigration documents are finally finished, you have been accepted and the stress of travelling is behind you. Now you can start “LIVING THE DREAM” and settle in your new home.
It’s not until about 3 months in that you realize it is more challenging than you imagined. In fact, that other stuff was the easy part. This journey has just begun and there are strange twists and turns in the road that you probably haven’t predicted or expected. WELCOME TO CANADA!
Transforming Impossible to I'm Possible!
Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Canada! As someone who has travelled extensively, I can honestly say it is one of the best countries in the world to live. If you have a job the quality of life is good. But getting a job (especially as a skilled worker or IMG) is not so simple. There are many obstacles. It’s competitive. It takes persistence, perseverance, and genuine support to find your way. The personal stories I’ve heard from my IMG students gave me a deeper understanding of how complicated, long, and expensive the journey to become a doctor in Canada is compared to my own experience re-entering my home country after many years.
This insight and my personal experience transformed the way I coach clients who are newcomers to Canada.
My Story
When I returned to Canada after 8 years, it took about a year to get my teaching license. I also had to provide a portfolio of evidence and pay to have my overseas teaching assessed. Once I established my credentials for my province (note: the acceptance of your credentials varies across provinces), I realized there weren’t any jobs! It took over a year to get called after submitting my resumé and all jobs were temporary contract positions. Adding to my stress, I was sponsoring my Italian husband. This meant that I had to prove to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that I could support both of us for 3 years!
That’s when I changed my perspective and started to “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX”.
I became the ARCHITECT OF MY OWN JOURNEY and so can you.
Come join me!
Here is my story…
