FOREIGN DOCTORS PROGRAM IN NFL

Skills Assessment and Training Program (CSAT)

General Information
Eligibility
Application
Selection
Contact

General Information
The Clinical Skills Assessment and Training Program (CSAT) is designed to assess core knowledge, skills and competencies of physicians in a general/family practice setting. It provides specific, individualized training, as prescribed by the assessment process, and evaluates the effectiveness of the training through in-training evaluation and, in some situations, a re-assessment.

The Program was established in December 1997 within the Professional Development Department, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland. It operates from Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Administration of the program is provided by a faculty appointed Director, and a Coordinator. A Medical Advisory Board with representation from the Faculty of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association provides ongoing policy guidance to the program. An Academic Advisory Committee provides advice on academic matters within the program. Clinical disciplines within the Faculty of Medicine, Professional Development, and rural medicine are represented on this committee. The Program is further supported by a network of faculty assessors and preceptors from each discipline, who provide assessment and supervision for clinical trainees, depending upon the participants individualized need.

Number of Positions a Year:
The CSAT Program is designed to be individualized. There are no preset dates for assessments. When a physician candidate has been determined to meet the eligibility criteria for entrance in the CSAT Program a date is established that is mutually agreeable to the physician candidate and the CSAT Program. The CSAT Program is able to accommodate any predetermined time frames for the assessment that may be established by the provincial medical regulatory authority. The CSAT Program is able to provide on average 4 individual assessments each month.

Language of Testing, Assessment and Training: The CSAT Program is provided in English only. Demonstrated fluency in English is required as determined by the referring provincial medical regulatory authority.

Dates and Deadlines: Check with the CSAT Program office for individual appointment times. Csat@swgc.mun.ca Telephone: (709) 639-2728 Fax: (709) 634-9175

Prior Postgraduate Training: Postgraduate training is determined by the referring provincial medical regulatory authority.

Recency of Practice/Clinical Training Criteria:
Physician Candidates for the CSAT Program will have to meet the practice and training criteria as established by the referring provincial medical regulatory authority.

Discipline Offered: Family Practice

Return-of-Service Agreement (ROS): Physicians entering the CSAT Program referred by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador are required to be sponsored by a Hospital Board or Health Authority. This sponsorship may be in the form of financial assistance for the CSAT Program in which a return-of-service (ROS) agreement is then required. The length of the ROS will be dependent on the amount of financial support and is usually two years in duration. When sponsorship does not include financial support for the CSAT assessment and training, there is not a ROS requirement.

Duration:
The assessment portion of the CSAT Program is two days. There are four assessment examinations, two each day for two consecutive days.

Location:
The CSAT assessments are held at:
CSAT Program Office
Room 420, 4th Floor
Western Memorial Regional Hospital
P.O. Box 2005, 1 Brookfield Avenue
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
A2H 6J7

The CSAT Program is located on the west coast of the province and is 55km from the nearest airport in Deer Lake, Newfoundland. Bus and taxi service meets all flights. A resident type accommodation is available at $15 a night with advanced reservation through the CSAT Program.