opinion: how physician assessors can unlock international help for ontario’s primary care crisis
3 minute read
experienced family physicians bring invaluable perspective to the assessment process: an understanding of canadian clinical expectations, insight into community-based practice and the ability to identify strengths that may not always be visible on paper.
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most people don’t think about primary care until they can’t access it.
for more than 2.5-million ontarians without a family doctor, even simple health concerns can become a maze of long waits and unanswered questions, often ending in an emergency room never meant to be the front door to care.
this strain is felt everywhere, but nowhere more acutely than in rural and remote communities. emergency departments are stretched beyond capacity, wait times continue to climb and the system often asks too much of too few.
at the same time, many internationally trained physicians living in canada are ready and willing to practice. the real challenge lies in how effectively we assess, support and integrate them into existing or new roles while maintaining the high standards patients deserve.
patient safety must always come first, and safeguarding quality also means recognizing a fundamental truth: a strong medical system depends on experienced physicians who are willing to guide, evaluate and support those entering practice.
one of the most impactful and often overlooked ways to do this is by serving as a physician assessor.
what is a physician assessor?
physician assessors are the driving force behind touchstone institute’s work. they play a vital role in addressing physician shortages while supporting internationally-trained doctors as they take steps into canadian practice.
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for nearly 20 years, touchstone institute has optimized healthcare provider performance and helped internationally trained physicians develop the skills needed to practice safely and effectively in canada. one important initiative is practice ready ontario (pro), launched in partnership with the government of ontario and the college of physicians and surgeons of ontario (cpso).
pro provides a faster pathway for internationally trained family physicians to start practicing in ontario without requiring them to repeat their medical residency. under the guidance of physician assessors with established practices, internationally trained physicians complete structured field assessments in these underserved areas.
these assessments allow them to demonstrate their clinical skills, adaptability and professionalism in real-world practice settings. afterward, they commit to a three-year return-of-service, helping to fill critical gaps in care where recruitment is most challenging.
programs like pro succeed because experienced family physicians volunteer as assessors. their expertise ensures that patient care remains safe, high-quality and responsive to the needs of the community.
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impact, development, recognition: what assessors stand to gain
serving as an assessor is a way to protect the future of care for the communities that have trusted you for years.
the assessor role fits seamlessly into a rural physician’s practice, offering structured, focused, time-limited work that respects your existing priorities. it provides meaningful, professional engagement without adding the unpredictability or on-call demands of clinical practice.
in addition to contributing to a meaningful health human resource strategy, assessors are compensated for their training and assessment work, earn continuing professional development (mainpro+) credits through the college of family physicians of canada and join a growing network of rural and remote communities dedicated to improving access to care. the role offers a chance to mentor and guide the next generation of ontario physicians serving in rural communities, fostering their professional growth while strengthening the quality of care across the province.
serving as an assessor is about being part of a collective solution. experienced family physicians bring invaluable perspective to the assessment process: an understanding of canadian clinical expectations, insight into community-based practice and the ability to identify strengths that may not always be visible on paper.
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the stakes are high. without enough assessors, assessment programs slow down. when assessments slow down, qualified physicians remain on the sidelines. and when doctors can’t practice, communities continue to go without care.
leave a lasting legacy in family medicine across ontario
canada’s healthcare challenges cannot be solved by policy alone. they require participation from governments, institutions and from physicians themselves. becoming an assessor is one tangible way for doctors to contribute beyond their own practice, influencing future policy through participation in practice ready ontario while still staying grounded in patient care.
this is a call to action for family physicians across the country: consider how your experience might help bring another doctor into practice, consider the impact your guidance could have on a community waiting for care and consider the legacy we are collectively building for canada’s healthcare system.
solving the family doctor crisis will take time, coordination and commitment. progress is possible when we recognize that assessment is a bridge, built by physicians, for physicians, in service of patients and communities who need care now more than ever.
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you can learn more about becoming an assessor and the benefits included here: https://touchstoneinstitute.ca/proassessor/
nicole beben is the ceo at touchstone institute.
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