The impact of physician sponsorship in Alberta
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Sponsorship through CPSA’s lens: Improving efficiency and accessibility
According to statistics from the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), upwards of 650,000 Albertans are searching for a family doctor. CPSA’s role in the efforts to increase the number of physicians in the province includes the important responsibility of registering international medical graduates (IMGs) who wish to practise in the province. IMGs represent 35% of the physician workforce in Alberta, and this number is expected to increase.
When an internationally trained physician comes to Alberta to practise medicine, it is essential that they are welcomed with support and guidance to ensure they are prepared to meet CPSA’s standards for high-quality patient care. This need for support is where physician sponsorship comes in. Before an IMG can register with CPSA and begin practising, they must apply for and secure a sponsored physician position in a community medical clinic, meet rigorous eligibility requirements and undergo a Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA), which is a six-month assessment process. CPSA remains the leader in PRAs in Canada, accounting for more than 40% of the PRAs initiated across the country between 2018 and 2023.
In January 2023, we launched a five-year pilot project called the Accelerated Jurisdiction Route, which condenses the PRA process for sponsored IMGs with training comparable to that of Canadian universities. This means that certain requirements are waived, allowing eligible IMGs to go directly to the communities where they have been sponsored and begin practicing independently.
CPSA remains committed to improving the efficiency and accessibility of our processes to get more physicians practising in Alberta while maintaining patient care standards. In March 2024, CPSA expanded our sponsorship program to allow individuals, organizations, corporations and more to become sponsors. This expanded sponsorship program means that anyone with an interest can apply to sponsor an IMG physician position within their desired community. CPSA’s sponsorship program and accelerated PRA process improve access to care in our province and provide Alberta’s rural and urban communities with more options to attract physicians to their area.
Sponsorship through a community lens: A conversation with physician sponsor Dr. Tabani
Sponsorship not only positively impacts the sponsored physician but also creates a ripple effect that improves healthcare access for both urban and rural communities in Alberta.
CPSA was fortunate to sit down with Dr. Abdul Tabani, a dedicated physician who came to Alberta as an international medical graduate (IMG) ten years ago. Now, he sponsors and supports other IMGs on their journey to independent practice in Alberta.
What is physician sponsorship?
Before an internationally trained physician can begin the Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA) and enter the workforce, they must first apply for a sponsored position.
CPSA: Thank you, Dr. Tabani, for your willingness to share your knowledge and experiences as a physician sponsor. To start off, please provide your background as a physician. When did you start practicing? Why did you choose to enter the healthcare field? What do you find most fulfilling about being a physician?
Dr. Tabani: I have been a physician in Alberta for ten years, but I have been practising for over 30 years across Pakistan, Ireland, England, Saudi Arabia and Canada.
From the start of my career, I have been passionate about helping underserved and vulnerable populations, which led me to complete my family medicine residency at Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan. Currently, I am the Medical Director of Parsons Park Medical Clinic, and I also work at Alberta Hospital Edmonton (AHE). Working at AHE has allowed me to integrate mental health with primary care, ensuring patients receive full, well-rounded treatment.
The most fulfilling part of my career has been improving my patients’ quality of life, especially those facing complex physical and mental health challenges.
CPSA: What was your experience when you went through CPSA's Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA) process as an IMG?
Dr. Tabani: When I heard of the PRA process, I was unfamiliar and a bit scared, as everyone is initially. But I appreciated how CPSA maintains patient care quality while also supporting IMGs with their transition to practising in Canada.
“The PRA process was rigorous but invaluable, as it ensured that I was meeting the highest standard of care expected in Canada. The PRA process provided me with a standard way to refine my skills, adjust to the healthcare system, and, ultimately, become a better physician”
CPSA: Why did you want to become a physician sponsor? What is your process when you sponsor an IMG? How many physicians have you sponsored so far?
Dr. Tabani: In 2013, when I was going through the PRA process myself, it had not yet been streamlined, and I felt that there was a lack of mentorship from the practising physicians. Because I went through the PRA process, I wanted to become a physician sponsor and help integrate other IMGs. I am blessed with my wife and four kids, and I want IMGs to know there is support for their families. The AHS team helped my family integrate into the system, and I want to do that for IMGs and their families as well.
What is the Practice Readiness Assessment (PRA)?
The PRA is designed to ensure internationally trained physicians have the requisite knowledge, skills and competencies to practise independently in Alberta.
When an IMG contacts me and wants to work with me, I will provide them with an observership first so that they can understand how the healthcare system and clinic administration work. I encourage other sponsors to consider offering more observerships for IMGs, while following CPSA’s protocol and guidelines. It makes the IMGs’ experience much better.
I am lucky to sponsor three physicians – one is already working with me in my clinic, and two are in the process of going through the PRA.
CPSA: Now that the physician sponsorship program has expanded to allow anyone interested to apply to become a sponsor, what impact does physician sponsorship have on the communities and clinics that participate?
Dr. Tabani: Expanding the sponsorship program has a direct and lasting impact on healthcare communities. We are in a dire shortage of healthcare workers, and I hope we will overcome this shortage very soon with competent and caring people.
IMGs bring unique clinical skills, multilingual skills and global perspectives, which enhance the quality of care we provide. Their presence helps address physician shortages, improve access and strengthen healthcare teams, especially in underserved areas. Working in southern Alberta has strengthened my understanding of how we can do better and provide better care for underserved communities, and I believe we can continue to work hard in this area.
“Sponsorship fosters collaboration and mentorship, creating a cycle where physicians support new doctors and their families, ultimately leading to a more resilient and well-rounded healthcare system.”
CPSA: What challenges might those who wish to become physician sponsors face? Do you have any advice for those starting this process?
Dr. Tabani: I have been contacted from likely every part of the world about sponsorship, so there is great interest from international physicians who want to take part in this program. While we are trying to integrate as many IMGs as possible, a great challenge as a clinician is giving adequate time to each new physician.
The biggest challenge is balancing mentorship with clinical responsibilities. It takes time and effort to ensure IMGs receive structure and guidelines while also allowing them space to develop their clinical independence. A significant amount of time is dedicated to each physician, requiring at least six months to onboard an IMG from the initial stage of coming to the country through to completing the PRA process. Other than getting calls about sponsorship in the middle of the night, I would say that is the most difficult part of being a sponsor; otherwise, I’m so happy to be a sponsor!
What I have done to overcome this challenge includes allowing my team to support me with answering questions from IMGs. My Director of HR takes on the responsibility of contacting and explaining the process to new IMGs. I have also contacted an immigration consultant firm to be able to provide information on work visas for those physicians who need them.
I would also advise new sponsors to be patient while communicating. Every IMG has a different learning curve. Encourage hands-on learning while providing constructive feedback and stay updated with CPSA guidelines so you can guide them effectively.
CPSA: What advice do you have for IMGs who are starting their PRA process?
Dr. Tabani: There are several associations that I recommend IMGs join. I am the General Secretary of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA). This is a large community of physicians, and anyone, regardless of their ethnicity, can join as a member. We provide free memberships for all IMGs with conferences, webinars and networking, and every year, we have an annual conference where we do special sessions for young physicians. I also encourage all IMGs to join the Alberta International Medical Graduate Association (AIMGA). AIMGA offers many services for IMGs, including helping them learn how to write resumes and do job interviews.
“Seeing IMGs grow into confident, capable physicians makes the effort worthwhile”
CPSA, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) and the Alberta Medical Association (AMA) resources and guidelines are a wealth of knowledge.
CPSA: What are the benefits for IMGs of having a sponsor to support them throughout their PRA process?
Dr. Tabani: I believe it helps them understand clinical expectations and workflows. The major rule of any mentor is to act as a buffer; in this case, you are a buffer between the IMG and CPSA. Everyone has so many fears and expectations when coming to a new country, and sponsors can explain how to navigate the system.
I truly believe that the PRA process and physician sponsorship are essential for strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce. This process ensures that competent, skilled and compassionate physicians enter the system, and are ready to provide high-quality universal healthcare.
“As a sponsor, I am committed to mentoring IMGs and advocating for a system that will use diversity, competency and patient-centred care. Watching new physicians find their footing and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career”
Sponsorship by the numbers
Increased sponsorship and physician numbers across the province showcase the successes of the expanded sponsorship model and accelerated PRA process.
These numbers are in addition to positions sponsored by Alberta Health Services.
