aimgprogrambusinessplan20082009-20102011final

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AIMG Prog ram

2008/ 09 – 20010/ 11 Business Plan

AIMG Program Business Plan2008/09 – 2010/2011

Edition

Released: January 13, 2010



Executive Summary

The mission of the Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP) is toincrease the number of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) eligible to practicemedicine in the province, by providing IMGs residing in Alberta with a route to

postgraduate medical education.

The AIMGP will continue to fulfill this mission by providing an accessible, valid, andreliable assessment program that is supported by ongoing outcome measurements.Following major leadership and structural changes in 2008/2009 the AIMGP is nowadministered by its Managing Director with support from a Medical Director. Theprogram staff will continue to include consultants, associates, and administrators toensure smooth operations, high quality assessments, orientation, and acculturation ofAlberta International Medical Graduates (AIMGs) for postgraduate education in Alberta.The composition of the AIMG Steering Committee (AIMG SC) has grown to includerepresentation from the Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA).Policy development and program assessment will continue in response to identifiedneeds of the program, which is now established as the main route to postgraduatemedical education for IMGs residing in Alberta and the second largest program forplacement of IMGs in the country.

The AIMGP will continue to endorse its five Guiding Principles. However, in response tothe outcomes of an AIMG SC retreat held in 2009, a subcommittee will be struck toreassess the vision, mission, and other governance matters. In particular, the AIMG SCwill explore widening the scope of the program supports to AIMGs’ pre- and post-residency training.



Table of Contents

Executive Summary.....................................................................................2

Section 1. Introduction ...............................................................................4

1.1 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES (IMGS)............................................. 4

1.2 THE AIMG PROGRAM ................................................................................. 4

Section 2: Defining the Scope of the AIMG Program ...............................5

2.1 MISSION . ………………………………………………………………………...5

2.2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND PRINCIPLE STATEMENTS....................................... 5

2.3 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES............................................................................. 1

Section 3: AIMG Program Governance and Stakeholders ....................... 9

3.1 AIMG PROGRAM GOVERNANCE .................................................................. 9

3.2 AIMG PROGRAM STAKEHOLDERS ............................................................. 10

Section 4: Building on Our Accomplishments..........................................10

4.1 IMPROVING PHYSICIAN SUPPLY.................................................................. 10

4.2 PROVIDING ACCESS TO RESIDENCY POSITIONS ............................................ 11

4.3 ASSESSING AND ORIENTING IMGS ............................................................. 11

4.4 ADMINISTERING THE AIMG PROGRAM ........................................................ 13

5.1 OUR FOCUS .............................................................................................. 14

5.2 O

URP

RIORITIES....................................................................................... 14

Section 6: Financial Requirements ............................................................16

Appendix 1: Logic Model for AIMG Program.............................................17

Appendix 2: Key Performance Indicators for AIMG Program..................18



Section 1. Introduction

1.1 International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

The Alberta International Medical Graduate Program (AIMGP) was created by theGovernment of Alberta (Ministry of Health and Wellness) in 2001 with a mission toincrease the number of IMGs eligible to practice medicine in the province. The AIMGPprovides eligible IMGs a competitive, transparent, and financially supported route topostgraduate medical education in the two Faculties of Medicine in Alberta.

IMGs are defined as physicians who have received their medical degree outsideCanada or the United States. Therefore, the term “IMG” refers to the place of medicaleducation and not necessarily the country of citizenship.

AIMGs are defined as IMGs who meet the requirements for application to postgraduatemedical education programs through the AIMGP.

Other routes to licensure including placement on the Special Register by the College ofPhysicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA), inter-university transfer credentialing

under Jurisdictional Training by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, andassessment of training by the College of Family Physicians of Canada are not within thescope of the AIMGP.

1.2 The AIMG Program

The AIMGP enables eligible IMGs to access a defined number of postgraduate medical

education positions each year. These positions are additional to those offered throughthe Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Programs available to candidateshave been aligned with identified provincial physician resource needs, with a focus onFamily Medicine.

Following the growth and successes of the AIMGP, along with new challenges that havebecome evident in its early years, this edition of the Business Plan reflects themes of re-definition, refinement and increased accountability.

As the AIMGP evolves from a fledgling initiative to an established and sustainableprogram, this edition introduces a plan to reassess the scope of the program and itspolicies. Many of the specific areas for reassessment were identified at the 2009 AIMGSC retreat. The revised Logic Model and Key Performance Indicators shown inAppendix 1 and 2 illustrate how these changes are conceptualized and how



Section 2: Defining the Scope of the AIMG Program

2.1 Mission

FIGURE 2.1.A THE AIMG PROGRAM’S MISSION STATEMENT

Mission

To inc rea se the number of IMGs eligible to wo rk as me d ica l doc tors in Alberta b y

providing qualified IMGs who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents residing

in Alberta w ith a c c ess to po stgrad uate me d ic al ed uca tion in high-need spe c ialties,

as ma nda ted by the G ove rnment of Albe rta through the Minister of Hea lth and

Wellness.

The underlying themes of the 2009/10 – 2010/11 edition of the AIMGP Business Planare re-definition, refinement and increased accountability.

Subsequent to the outcomes of the 2009 retreat, the AIMGP will explore broadening itsscope to include support to AIMGs after they have accessed residency training. This

change results from the finding of common challenges experienced by many AIMGsduring training that are not addressed by pre-existing supports within PGME.

The AIMGP will conduct research to refine both the assessment tools and theprocesses of the AIMG assessments. The decisions on changes to either theassessment tools or the processes will be based on evidence and systematic research.

The AIMGP will further the implementation of the program policies as mandated by the

Government of Alberta. The increased accountability will be reflected throughmonitoring of the Key Performance Indicators and continued reporting to the AIMGPSC.

2.2 Guiding Principles and Principle Statements

The AIMGP will continue to endorse the following five Guiding Principles as listed belowand outlined in Figure 2.2A:

1. Accountable2. Sustainable3 Responsive



FIGURE 2.2.A - AIMG PROGRAM PRINCIPLE STATEMENTS

Princ iple 1: Ac c ountab leThe AIMG Prog ram is ac c ounta ble to :

the Minister of Hea lth and Wellness for ac hieving its ma ndated mission in a c ost-

effective way; the AIMG Prog ram Stee ring Co mm ittee , for rea lizing its d irec tives and policies;

stakeho lders who a re a ssessing, orienting a nd teac hing AIMGs, for ident ifying IMGs

who are read y to ente r residenc y tra ining ;

IMGs residing in Albe rta, for the fa irness of the program’ s assessme nt p roc ess; and

Albe rta’ s pub lic , for providing a n ac c ountab le a nd sustainab le w ay to imp rove

physician sup ply.

Princ iple 2: SustainableThe susta inab ility of the AIMG Prog ram dep end s on the ava ilab ility of approp ria te

resources, suc h as:

adeq uate fund ing from Alberta Health and Wellness;

a po ol of eligible IMG c and ida tes;

huma n resources to support the p rog ram ’s op erations;

the support of p hysician assessors, fac ulty and p recep tors; and

the susta ined interest and rec og nition o f the med ica l c om munity.

The AIMG Prog ram m ust ha ve a ba lanc ed approa c h to its use o f these resource s in

order to ensure the ir ava ilab ilit

t o the ro ram.

Principle 3: ResponsiveThe AIMG Program will be responsive to op portunities to a c hieve its mission in

an e ffective a nd e ffic ient wa y through:

its go vernanc e, including the review a nd de velopme nt of p olic ies;

its administration, including identifying ways to improve program processes;

and

its p rog ramm ing, including measuring outc om es to ensure tha t the

rogram is me eting its sta ted goa ls.

Princ iple 4: Transpa rentThe AIMG Prog ram end ea vors to be t ransparent in its go vernanc e,

ad ministration a nd programm ing by:

deve loping po lic ies tha t support the a c hieveme nt o f its mission;

providing ap p lic ants with the e lig ibility c riteria for the p rog ram;

advising app lic ants of the princ iples of the assessme nt; and

d issem inating prog ram outc om es.

Principle 5: Confidential



2.3 Goals and Objectives

The AIMGP’s Goals as stated in the previous Business Plan are:

Communication Assessment Orientation Collaboration Development

For the 2009/10 – 2010/11 Business Plan, the AIMGP SC continues to endorse thesegoals. In addition, the AIMG SC continues to endorse a set of Goal Statements that

clarify the scope of each Goal. These are outlined in Figure 2.3.A.



FIGURE 2.3.A AIMG PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goa l 1: Com munica tionThe AIMG Prog ram will have a

c om munica tion strategy to keep

its stakeho lders approp ria telyinformed of p rog ram proc esses,

po lic ies and outc ome s.

Goal 2: AssessmentThe AIMG Prog ram will have a

rigorous, ob jec tive, a nd

c onfide ntial mec hanism for

assessing the read iness ofeligible IMGs to ente r an

ava ilab le p ostgrad uate m ed ica l

ed uca tion po sition.

Goa l 3: Orientation

The AIMG Prog ram will have astructured p rocess for orienting

qua lified IMGs to Alberta’ s

health care and me dica l

education systems.

Goa l 4: Collab oration

The AIMG Program willc ollab orate w ith programs and

ind ividua ls tha t sup port, assess,

orient a nd tea c h IMGs in

Alberta and Cana da in order to

enhanc e program too ls and

proc esses.

Goa l 5: Developm ent

The AIMG Prog ram will engage

in co ntinuous qua lity

imp rovem ent, seeking out and

respond ing to o pportunities to

achieve its mission

Objective 1.1:

Provide IMGs with information about how to access

ava ilab le po stgrad uate med ic al educ ation positions

through the A IMG Prog ram.

Objective 1.2:

Provide AIMG Program stakeholders with information

ab out the AIMG Prog ram .

Objective 2.1:

Assess the baseline skill sets of e lig ible IMGs to ide nt ify

those tha t a re q ualified to e nter an a vailab le

po stgrad uate me dica l ed ucation position.

Objective 2.2:

Sha re responsibility with residenc y training p rograms

to assess the know ledge , skills and beha viours of

qualified IMGs to ide ntify those tha t are read y to

enter an ava ilab le p ostgrad uate m edica l educa tion

position.

Objective 5.1:

Continually engage in research, evaluation and

de velopment ac tivities that enha nce the AIMG

Program.

Objective 3.1:

Sha re responsibility with residenc y training p rogramsto p rovide an o rienta tion for qua lified IMGs tha t will

give them the opp ortunity to ad d to the knowledge,

skills and be hav iours they need to funct ion

suc cessfully in Alberta’ s hea lth ca re and m ed ica l

ed ucat ion system s.

Objective 4.1:Share informa tion as ap prop riate w ith p rograms and

individuals that support, assess, orient and teach IMGs

in order to e nhanc e the AIMG Prog ram .

Objective 5.2:



Section 3: AIMGP Governance and Stakeholders

3.1 AIMG Program Governance

The AIMGP SC is the program’s sole trustee. The Steering Committee is accountable to

the Government of Alberta through the Minister of Health and Wellness for the effectivegovernance and management of the AIMGP. The Steering Committee oversees thedirection, activities and outcomes of the program as they relate to the achievement of itsMission, Goals and Objectives.

The AIMGP SC includes representation from the major organizations involved in theassessment, orientation and teaching of IMGs in Alberta. These organizations and theirroles are outlined in Figure 3.1.A.

FIGURE 3.1.A - AIMG PROGRAM STEERING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION

Organization Representative Role

Alberta Healthand Wellness (AH&W)

AH&W funds the AIMG Program

College of Physicians andSurgeons of Alberta (CPSA)

As the regulatory body for the medical profession in Alberta, the CPSA advises the AIMG Program on licensure requirements

Postgraduate MedicalEducations (PGME) Offices:

Universities of Calgary,University of Alberta

Participating PGME residency programs share responsibility for the clinical assessment and orientation of AIMG Externs and participate in the AIMG Match by assessing candidates and submitting

rank order lists.

Health Region

Alberta Health Services operates the facilities in which IMGs are assessed, oriented and educated Many regional health care professionals participate in the assessment, orientation and education of AIMGs

Alberta Rural Physician ActionPlan (RPAP)

RPAP coordinates a range of educational programs

focused on rural medicine in Alberta. AIMGs have the opportunity to participate in RPAP funded rural rotations

Alberta International MedicalGraduate Association (AIMGA)

The AIMG Association serves as the voice for IMGs in the province and coordinates a range of educational and social activities to facilitate integration of IMGs



3.2 AIMG Program Stakeholders

The AIMGP will continue to be accountable to stakeholders in addition to thoserepresented on the AIMG SC.

Each of these stakeholders has a particular interest in the support, assessment,orientation or education of AIMGs. They include:

IMGs who are Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents residing in Alberta;

organizations that support IMGs as they prepare for the AIMG Program;

assessors, faculty, and preceptors who work with IMGs through the AIMGP; and

the public, who will be treated by physicians who enter practice once theycomplete residency.

Section 4: Building on Our Accomplishments

4.1 Improving Physician Supply

The growth of the program in terms of residents and residency programs since itsinception is shown in Table 4.1 below:

TABLE 4.1.A - AIMG PROGRAM GROWTH FROM 2001 TO 2009

ResidencyStart Date

ApplicationsReceived

FamilyMedicineResidencyPositions

OtherResidencyPositions

TotalPositions

Number ofdisciplines

2001 56 11 n/a 11 1

2002 31 8 n/a 8 1

2003 39 8 n/a 8 1

2004 64 12 9 21 5

2005 92 12 10 22 6



IMGs who are successful in matching to residency positions through the AIMGP willcontinue to enter training at the PGY1 level and will require a total of two or more yearsof residency depending on the specialty.

Measures of program success following candidate placement include performance

during residency and qualifying examinations, resident wellness, and retention withinthe province after residency program completion. These measures will be an area ofincreasing focus for the AIMGP and will inform decisions made regarding a broadeningof the program’s scope to potentially include educational support during residency.

4.2 Providing access to residency positions

In 2008, the AIMGP instituted policy and funding changes that would allow AIMGs toaccess the second iteration of the CaRMS match as an additional route to Albertaresidency positions. This access applies only to AIMGs who have been assessed by theAIMGP and passed the OSCE but are not successful in the AIMGP match.

This policy will continue to be evaluated and refined as necessary. AIMGs enteringthrough the second iteration of CaRMS are considered equivalent to AIMGP-matchedcandidates and will therefore be assessed further with an Externship. The result is that

the residency start date for CaRMS 2nd iteration-matched physicians will be staggered(due to the timing of the CaRMS Match).

The program anticipates a declining capacity for residency positions in Alberta and willassess this issue as part of its overall program re-evaluation.

4.3 Assessing and Orienting IMGs

The growth of the AIMGP is a reflection of the strength of its assessment andorientation processes and the commitment of the various stakeholders. The AIMGP willcontinue to ensure that the assessment process is a reliable and valid way to identifyIMGs who are “residency ready.”

The AIMGP’s assessment and orientation process proceeds in four stages, as outlined

in Figure 4.3.A.



FIGURE 4.3.A - AIMG PROGRAM’S ASSESSMENT AND ORIENTATION STAGES

Stage 1: Determine Eligibility

Stage 2A: Identify Qualified IMGs(CLINICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT)

Stage 3: Residency Program matchingprocesses

AIMG Program Application

Objective StructuredClinical Exam (OSCE)

At the discretion of individualresidency programs

Stage 4: Clinical Assessment andOrientation

Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI)Stage 2B: Identify Qualified IMGs(INTERVIEWS)

Externship



4.4 Administering the AIMG Program

In 2008, the AIMGP created the new positions of Managing Director and Medical

Director to replace the previous Program Director position. The Managing Director hasbeen in place for one year. The AIMGP’s goal is to hire a Medical Director early in 2010.The primary function of the Medical Director will be to liaise with the residency programslocally and with appropriate groups nationally for enhancement of the AIMGP. TheMedical Director may also assist others in the program to develop and evaluate theassessment tools used for assessing AIMGs.

The AIMGP will continue to engage project and physician consultants periodically as

required.

Figure 4.4.1 shows the organizational structure of the AIMGP and the Full-TimeEquivalent (FTE) of each position.

FIGURE 4.4.I – AIMG PROGRAM ORGANIZATION CHART (JULY 2009)

AIMG Program

Medic al Direc tor

(TBD - 0.4 FTE)

AIMG Program

Projec t and Physic ian

Consultants

(FTE varies)

AIMG Program

Assoc iates / Assistants

(3.0 FTE)

AIMG Prog ram

Quality Imp rovement

Consulting

0.5 FTE

AIMG Program

Operation Consulting

(0.5 FTE)

AIMG Program

Manag ing Director(0.8 FTE)



Section 5: Our Priorities

5.1 Our Focus

The AIMGP has established itself as a reliable way to identify “residency ready” AIMGs.In this Business Cycle, the program will continue to redefine, strengthen and refine itstools, processes and policies. The AIMGP’s Mission, Principles, Goals and Objectiveswill be reassessed to provide direction. The Key Performance Indicators (KPI)presented in this Business Plan further reflect this direction.

The KPIs were developed following consultations with AIMG SC members, senioradministrators and key program stakeholders. They present the activities and

measures that will define, strengthen and refine how the AIMGP achieves its Goals andObjectives.

The priorities reflected in the KPI are summarized in Section 5.2. The full set of KPI ispresented in Appendix 2.

5.2 Our Priorities

5.2.1 Communication

The AIMGP currently communicates with IMGs and other stakeholders using bothformal and informal means. Most program stakeholders have a general understandingof the program’s mandate. However, not all stakeholders understand key elements ofthe program, such as who the program targets or the rigor of the assessment process.

There is therefore an opportunity for the AIMGP to strengthen its communications inthese key areas with all stakeholders.

There is also opportunity for the program to be more targeted in its communication with theacademic community. The academic community presents a forum in which the programcan validate its tools and processes. This will further enhance the program’s credibility.

The AIMGP’s priority for Communication is to be more strategic in its communication with

AIMGs, program stakeholders and the academic community.

5.2.2 Assessment

The AIMGP will engage in an External Face Validity Study of the assessment process



In previous years, AIMGs were required to take the AIMGP OSCE each year ofapplication regardless of their previous performance. Following an in-house ‘stabilityanalysis’ on the OSCE stations (used for two or more years) the OSCE results will nowbe valid for 3 subsequent matches. The AIMGP will invest further research in assessingthe stability and validity of OSCE stations and the impact of this policy change.

In the previous Business Cycle, the AIMGP piloted a new computerized match processwith the goal of increasing objectivity and efficiency. The match program was againmodified in 2008 to handle the increase in numbers of AIMG candidates andparticipating residency programs. The AIMGP will continue to use and develop thecomputer-based match program for fairness and transparency.

5.2.3 Clinical Assessment and Orientation (Externship)

Following decisions to accept matched AIMGs, the final assessment component is arequirement for AIMGs to complete successfully a four month clinicalassessment/orientation (Externship). This phase is a shared responsibility between theAIMGP and individual Residency Training Programs. The AIMGP will continue to workwith residency programs to ensure a quality Externship experience.

5.2.4 Collaboration

Collaboration has always been an important part of the AIMGP. The AIMGP liaises witha range of programs and individuals that support, assess, orient and teach IMGs inAlberta and Canada.

In this Business Cycle, the AIMGP’s priority for Collaboration will be to continue to focus

on excellence in the assessment and orientation of IMGs. This will require continuedwork with Residency Training Programs, physician assessors, and IMG advocacygroups including the AIMGA and the Bredin Institute. The AIMGP also anticipatescollaboration with the National Assessment Collaboration towards a common IMGOSCE.

5.2.5 Development

Development was the new and important goal for the AIMGP in the previous businesscycle. The AIMGP recognized the need for continuous, formalized activities focused onquality improvement and during the last cycle, a system of KPI calculation and reportingwas developed.



Section 6: Financial Requirements

The Government of Alberta through Alberta Health and Wellness provides grant fundingeach year to:

- support the operating expenses of the AIMGP- flow funding to preceptors and Residency Training Programs who work with IMGs

through the AIMGP

The Program’s operating budgets for the last three years (2007/2008 through2009/2010) are illustrated in Chart 6.A. Primary factors influencing overall annualbudget variations relate primarily to the level of funding for Externship support and toadjustments in staffing levels.

Note that with recent increased number of discipline choices for applicants, applicationrevenues increase each year. The Program received ~$75,000 in application fees in2008, increasing to ~$96,000 for the 2009 application

CHART 6.A – AIMG PROGRAM OPERATING BUDGETS

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

Amount

07/08 08/09 09/10

Fiscal Year

AIMGP Operating Budgets

Operating Funds

Application Revenue



Goal #2:The AIMG Program will have a rigorous and objective confidential mechanism for assessing the readiness of eligible IMGsto enter an available postgraduate medical education position.

Why this isimportant to ourprogram?

Assessing the baseline skills of qualified IMGs is the core business of the AIMG Program. In order to be accountable toour stakeholders, we must ensure that the assessment mechanism is rigorous and objective.

Objective #2.1: Assess the baseline skill sets of eligible IMGs to identify those that are qualified to enter an availablepostgraduate medical education position.

Indicator Measure Baseline Target Tracking

2.1.a AIMG Program entry

requirements are acceptableto relevant programstakeholders

Entry requirements are

endorsed on an annual basisby the CPSA andPostgraduate Offices of theUniversities of Alberta andCalgary

Entry requirements have

been acceptable to relevantprogram stakeholders

Entry requirements

continue to be acceptableto all relevant programstakeholders.

Ongoing review of entry

requirements

2.1.b The AIMG Programreliably identifies IMGswho meet the program’sentry requirements

Reliable identification ofeligible IMGs who completethe online application andsubmit complete application

packages

The application and filereview processes reliablyidentify eligible IMGs

The application and filereviews processesidentifies all eligible and allineligible IMGs who apply

to the AIMGP

AIMGP Excel File

The AIMG Programreliably identifies IMGswho are qualified to enteran available postgraduatemedical education position

Eligible applicants whosubmit complete applicationpackages all go through thesame filters and assessmentprocesses

100% 100% Standardized protocols areapplied

2.1.c

Qualified – OSCE score ata level Canadian MedicalGraduate equivalent-level

OSCE criterion and “cutscores” incorporateindividual minimumthreshold scores and aredeemed appropriate by theOSCE Committee for theidentification of IMGs at thelevel of a Canadian MedicalGraduate (CMG)

OSCE criterion and cutscores have beenappropriate for theidentification of IMGs at thelevel of a CMG(MPL = 6 cases in 2007)

OSCE criterion and cutscores continue to beappropriate for theidentification of IMGs at thelevel of a CMG

OSCE Chairperson’s report

19



Goal #2:The AIMG Program will have a rigorous and objective confidential mechanism for assessing the readiness of eligible IMGsto enter an available postgraduate medical education position.

OSCE Validity External Face Validity ofthe OSCE Cases (i.e. theapparent suitability ofOSCE cases to theassessment of IMGs)

No established baseline The OSCE has ExternalFace Validity amongstOSCE Examiners

OSCE Examiner Survey

OSCE Reliability Psychometric analysis of theOSCE results using reliabilityand discriminatory indices

(i.e. the consistency withwhich the exam rankscandidates and the ability ofthe exam to identifystrong/weak candidates)

The AIMG Program’sOSCE has a minimumreliability coefficient of 0.7

using Cronbach’s alphacoefficient

The OSCE exams achievea reliability coefficient of 0.8

OSCE psychometricsreported in annual OSCEreport

MMI Validity External Face Validity ofthe interview format (i.e.the apparent suitability ofthe interview format as a

tool to rank IMGcandidates)

2006, Acceptable The Interview format hasExternal Face Validityamongst interviewers

Interviewer FeedbackSurvey

MMI Reliability Psychometric analysis ofinterview results usinggeneralizability indices

2006, 0.70 The interviews achieve ageneralizability factor of 0.8

Interview Forms

2.1.d The AIMG Programmatches IMGs who arequalified to enter anavailable postgraduate

medical education positioninto the program rankedfirst by candidates.

Rate 2007, 69.6% An optimal number of IMGsare matched into theirtopped ranked programseach year

AIMG Program Database

20



Objective #2.2: Share responsibility with Residency Training Programs to assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours of

qualified IMGs to identify those that are ready to enter an available postgraduate medical education position.Indicator Measure Baseline Target Tracking

AIMGP ITER The AIMG Program’sclinical evaluation formis used by over 90% ofparticipating ResidencyTraining Programs

The AIMG Program’sclinical evaluation form isused by 100% ofparticipating ResidencyTraining Programs

Count and calculated per cent

External Face Validity ofExternship (clinical

assessment andorientation)

Program Director expertopinion

Externship has face validity Individual program directorfeedback

2.2.b The AIMG Program reliablyidentifies qualified IMGswho are ready to enter aresidency training program

Per cent of IMGs whopass national certificationexams (i.e. RCPSC,CFPC) followingresidency

2008, 98% The vast majority of IMGspass their certificationexam after completingresidency

Provincial Physician Registry(ies)

21



Goal #3:The AIMG Program will have a structured process for orienting qualified IMGs to Alberta’s health care and medical

education systems. Why this isimportant to ourprogram?

The medical education and health care systems in Alberta can vary significantly from those in which IMGs wereeducated. Providing IMGs with an orientation to Alberta’ health care and medical education systems helpsensure their success in residency.

Objective #3.1: Share responsibility with Residency Training Programs to provide an orientation for qualified IMGsthat will give them the opportunity to add to the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need tofunction in Alberta’s health care and medical education systems.


Number and type oforientation sessionsprovided to AIMGs

In 2004, the AIMGProgram provided IMGswith information andformalized support duringtwo, one-week orientationworkshops. Informalsupport was provided asneeded during theremaining months.

IMGs have access toongoing qualityinformation and supportthroughout Externship tocreate maximumopportunity for learning

Orientation sessionschedules

3.1.a The AIMG Program’sorientation process helpsIMGs add to the knowledge,skills and behaviours theyneed to function in Alberta’shealth care and medicaleducation system

Content validity oforientation sessions

Expert opinion Agreement amongstparticipant AIMGs andpresenters

Orientation sessionevaluations

22



Goal #4:The AIMG Program will collaborate with programs and individuals that support, assess, orient and teach IMGs in Albertaand Canada in order to enhance program tools and processes.


There are a number of organizations and programs in Alberta that help IMGs prepare for the AIMG Program’sapplication process. The work of these organizations can benefit the AIMG Program, as they can help strengthenthe quality of AIMG Program applicants. The AIMG Program can support these organizations by sharinginformation and resources with them, as appropriate.

Assessors, preceptors and faculty in Residency Training Programs play a critical role assessing and orienting IMGto Alberta’s medical education and health care systems. The AIMG Program can support these individuals andprograms by helping them understand the unique aspects of assessing and orienting IMGs.

Objective #4.1: Share information as appropriate with programs and individuals that support, assess, orient and teachIMGs in order to enhance the AIMG Program.


4.1.a The AIMG Program sharesappropriate information andsupports with organizationsand programs that work withIMGs in Alberta

Number and type ofcollaborative activity,by organization peryear

The AIMG Programresponds to requests forinformation and supportfrom other organizations inthe field

The AIMG Programcontinues to respond torequests for informationand support

AIMG-maintained records

4.1.b AIMG Program physician

assessors have theknowledge and skills theyneed to assess IMGs

Availability of regular

CME or CPD coursesfor potential and existingpreceptors

No established baseline Annual course offering AIMGP records

4.1.c The AIMG Program providesappropriate resources andsupports to assessors,preceptors, and faculty whowork with AIMGs

Support and resourceinventory

In 2006, ResidencyTraining Programsindicated that AIMGPfinancial resources wereappropriate butimprovement was needed

in non-financial resources

Residency trainingprograms report adequatefinancial and non-financialresources for AIMG training

Annual program survey

23



24

Goal #5: The AIMG Program will engage in continuous quality improvement, seeking out and responding to opportunities to achieve itsmission.


By engaging in a continual exercise of quality improvement, the AIMG Program can ensure that its tools andprocesses remain current and reliable. Development activities will help the AIMG Program be accountable to all of itsstakeholders and will help achieve its mission.

Objective #5.1: Continually engage in research, evaluation and development activities that enhance the AIMG Program.


5.1.a The AIMG Program’sresearch and evaluationactivities support the qualityimprovement of programtools and processes.

Inventory of evidence-based decisions No established baseline Program decisions aresupported by researchand evaluation activitiesand results

AIMGP-maintained records

Objective #5.2: Conduct, publicize and publish research initiatives for enhancing the image of AIMGP

5.2 The AIMG Program’s

research activities arepublished in peer-reviewedacademic journals

Number of publications 2008, 1 publication in

Family Medicine2009, 1 publication inMedical Education1 in BMC MedicalEducation

As many as feasible AIMGP-maintained records

aimgprogrambusinessplan20082009-20102011final

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