1.1 Residents who wish to explore whether they may be eligible to have training waived must discuss this with their Program Director. There may be program-specific guidelines in place, in addition to RCPSC/CFPC requirements and PGME requirements. Residents are entitled to know in advance how their performance will be evaluated to determine whether they qualify for a waiver of training. Residents are not automatically entitled to a waiver of training.
1.2 A resident can be granted a waiver of training after a leave of absence if he or she has met all specialty training requirements of the RCPSC/CFPC and all of the program's educational requirements, and the Program Director is satisfied that the resident will have achieved the required level of competence by the end date of the training. Every program must make information on the educational requirements available to residents.
1.3 When considering a waiver of training, the Program Director must take into account:
- Any unsatisfactory, borderline or incomplete rotation evaluations;
- Inconsistent attendance at academic activities;
- changes to training that resulted in an overall dilution of the educational experience;
- Any concerns about the academic, professional, behavioural and ethical performance of the resident;
- Performance in objective evaluations (e.g., OSCE, mini CEX, multiple choice examinations, oral examinations, short answer questions and evaluating examinations);
- Assurance that all training objectives outlined by the respective college will
be met by the end of the training.
1.4 The Program Director may recommend a waiver of training up to the maximum allowable times permitted by the RCPSC and CFPC, as noted below:
- It is the responsibility of the College of Family Physicians of Canada {CFPC) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC} to set maximum allowable times for waivers of training that maintain eligibility for certification.
- Maximum allowable times for waivers are as follows: Family Medicine- four {4) weeks.
- One-year programs- no waiver allowed.
- Less than one year for remediation or enhanced skills - no waiver allowed.
- Two-year programs (excluding Family Medicine)- six {6} weeks. Three-year programs- six {6) weeks.
- Four-year programs- three {3) months. Five-year programs - three {3) months. Six-year programs- three {3) months.
- For residents taking subspecialty training in the final year of a specialty program (e.g., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics}, up to three (3) months is allowable in PGY4 only if the program directors in both the specialty and subspecialty programs agree that a waiver can be recommended.
1.5 In the beginning of the final year of training, a resident may make a request in writing to the Program Director. A decision to grant a waiver of training cannot be granted after the resident has taken the certification examinations.
1.6 If the program approves the request for the waiver, the Program Director must then submit a letter of support to the Vice-Dean, PGME. The Program Director's letter must include the following information:
- Resident's name, program, level, dates of the program time leave being waived and the recommended revised end date;
- Confirmation that the resident has successfully completed all training requirements of the program, including in-training examinations, quality assurance projects, case logs, etc.
1.7 The Vice-Dean, PGME reviews the request and if approved, writes a letter of support to the credentials committees of the Royal College or the College of Family Physicians. Notification is made prior to submission of the Final In-Training Evaluation Report (FITER).
