Internal Medicine in Canada

Informative Guide on Training, Practice Settings, and Salary Expectations

What is an Internist?

Internists specialize in Internal Medicine, which focuses on the detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the internal systems of the human body.

Practitioners of Internal Medicine specialize in diseases of internal organs and systems. These include the heart, kidney, liver and lungs. Seeing as some diseases affect more than one organ, the internist must be able to diagnose and treat multiple organs, however, some internists can also choose to specialize in a specific organ. Please take note that there are various subspecialties for internists. These include:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Pulmonary disease
• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Rheumatology

The role includes seeing patients, diagnosing their symptoms, and providing an effective treatment plan. An internist is also tasked with taking patient history and referring the patient to a specialist should the need arise.

Delivery of Care Settings

Internists deliver care in many settings. They work in hospitals, research institutions, private practices, and clinics.

In large hospitals, Internists predominantly collaborate in team-based care models with physician assistants and nurse practitioners. They provide thorough physical examinations to evaluate the patient’s condition and potential diseases and interpret medical tests to provide the necessary treatment plan and prescription for the patient. They also screen patients for potential or existing medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

In clinics, internists often work with other specialists to provide more cohesive treatment for walk-in patients. Their roles usually include consultation, conducting specific tests, and prescribing medications.

Canadian Training General Requirements

Upon completion of medical school, to become certified in Internal Medicine requires 4 years of specialty residency.

Potential internists can also choose to subspecialize and are required to finish 2 years of subspecialty training. This training can begin after completing the three core years of the internist program. This will usually take 5 years.

Applying to Canadian Medical Schools

Canada has 17 accredited faculties of medicine, distributed geographically across the country. Canadian medical schools are accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

According to The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), the number of places available is determined by provincial governments based on educational and financial resources, as well as Canada’s future physician workforce requirements. Medical schools have an increasing number of applicants every year, while the number of positions available for entry does not increase significantly.

Can International Students Apply to Canadian Medical Schools?

Since the universities are under provincial jurisdiction, the majority of places in a faculty of medicine are allocated to permanent residents of the province in which the university is located. So, although 14 out of the 17 medical schools accept international students, the number of actual positions is limited.

What International Medical Schools are Recognized in Canada?

Anyone with a Medical Degree (MD) from outside of the accredited Canadian and American programs who wants to undertake residency training or practice medicine in Canada is considered an International Medical Graduate (IMG). This includes Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) has a helpful guide to the acceptable medical schools as defined in the Model Standards for Medical Registration in Canada.

Can International Students Apply to Canadian Medical Schools?

Since the universities are under provincial jurisdiction, the majority of places in a faculty of medicine are allocated to permanent residents of the province in which the university is located. So, although 14 out of the 17 medical schools accept international students, the number of actual positions is limited.

How are Internists Paid?

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) which provides essential information on Canada's health systems and the health of Canadians and has the following data:

• Most physicians receive compensation through multiple models, including both fee-for-service and alternative payments.
• Alternative methods of paying physicians include salaries, sessional and hourly rates, capitation models and contract-based payments.
• The largest payment program as a proportion of total gross clinical payments to physicians in Canada is fee-for-service, at about 73% of total payments in 2018–2019.
• Fee-for-service services provided by physicians can be split into 2 broad types: consultations/visits and procedures.

What are Internists Paid in Canada?

The gross range of potential annual earnings can vary based on factors including hours, experience, province, rural or urban location, clinic setup, as well as incentives and bonuses offered. A range we see for Internists across Canada is $300,000 to $500,0000.

Demand for Internists in Canada

The demand for Internists is high in Canada. This occupational group is expected to face labour shortage conditions over the period of 2019-2028 at the national level.

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This page is a general guideline only and is not intended as financial or other professional advice. Remuneration ranges are from both source information and our job board. All content is subject to change.