Richmond physician lauds new health-care licensing rules

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia approved the policy changes on July 6.

Consider it one less concern, or at least one less pain point, on the already full plate of Dr. Jie Bai and likely countless others like her. The medical director of Richmond’s Fresh Bay Medical Centre, Bai is lauding a recent announcement that will expedite the licensing process for internationally trained physicians. Having gone into effect July 6, the new licensing bylaws approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia allow more internationally trained physicians to apply directly for a full licence to practise in B.C., rather than first having to work under a provisional licence.

The province says the move will reduce paperwork, make the process easier to navigate and help qualified physicians begin practising independently sooner. Bai estimates the recent shift will shave off anywhere from 12 to 24 months from the current process. “It is a positive policy and it makes B.C. more competitive,” Bai said.

“This will make it easier for B.C. to get more doctors.” The policy change applies to eligible physicians trained in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Physicians in recognized specialties, who have completed eligible accredited postgraduate training, will be able to apply directly for a full licence in B.C.

The specialized fields those physicians will work in run the gamut of health-care needs: anesthesia; dermatology; emergency and occupational medicine; psychiatry; pediatrics and more. For Bai’s team, the news means that two foreign-trained physicians at her practice have now been fully licensed. “It definitely benefits us in clinical care and it also benefits residencies in B.C.,” Bai said.

“This will make it easier to get seen by a doctor.” Also announced July 6 was an expansion of the BC Physician Integration Program requirement to include internationally trained physicians who are new to independent practice in Canada, including those entering through the new full-licence pathway. Physicians can complete the program for free during their first year in B.C. through the University of British Columbia’s continuing professional development department.

“The program helps them adapt more quickly to our health-care system and understand how care is delivered here, supporting a smoother transition for physicians and more consistent, culturally safe care for patients,” Health Minister Josie Osborne said in a news release. “Because the program is completed after licensure, it provides this support without delaying when a physician can begin practising.” 📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond?

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