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| CAPP: Frequently Asked Questions |
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The Clinician Assessment for Practice Program is a program of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. It is intended for International Medical Graduate ( IMG ) physicians who believe they are PRACTICE READY for entry into family practice without any additional formal residency training in Canada. CAPP is intended to provide medical services to underserved areas of Nova Scotia as defined by the Department of Heath of the Government of Nova Scotia with a return of service requirement. At this time there are no residency positions in Nova Scotia specifically set aside for CAPP assessed IMG physicians who are not deemed eligible for a defined licence in Nova Scotia. CAPP is a comprehensive program that consists of three components (see diagram). All candidates will participate in Part A, a two-part assessment consisting of a Therapeutics Examination and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The purpose of Part A is to assess the clinical competence of candidates for readiness to practice. It is also intended to provide an assessment of candidates' strengths and weaknesses that may be of assistance to them in their continuing professional development. IMG physicians who are granted a defined licence in Nova Scotia through CAPP will receive a 13-month program of continuing professional development, on-going support, guidance and evaluation by a physician-mentor, and in-depth assessment of the their practice at six and ten months (Part B). As a condition of a defined license in Nova Scotia, physicians must have a sponsor and a mentor approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. At the conclusion of Part B (the initial year in practice as a CAPP Physician defined licensee) the licensee's performance, as evidenced by mentor's progress reports, the practice site-visit, patient feedback survey and the multi-source feedback reports, and any other relevant information, will be reviewed by the Credentials Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Continuation of the defined license and any conditions attached to it, and any further follow-up will be decided by the Committee. The Committee will decide whether a formal mentorship needs to continue for a further period. Whether or not the mentorship continues, the defined licensee must continue to have a sponsor approved by the College. Part C of CAPP may extend up to three years beyond Part B (the initial year of defined licensure). From the time of the granting of a defined licence (the start of Part B), the licensee has four years in which to obtain the LMCC and certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Those IMG physicians planning to practice in other Canadian provinces or territories will need to follow the licensing requirements in that jurisdiction. 2. Who can participate in CAPP? How do I apply? International Medical Graduates may apply directly to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia OR be referred to CAPP by another medical regulatory authority for an assessment to determine if they have the medical knowledge and skills required for family practice. For those wishing to be considered for a defined medical license in Nova Scotia, the following criteria must be met for referral to CAPP: a) have training and clinical practice experience acceptable to the College. This consists of: i) a one (1) year rotating internship (or equivalent) AND have at least two (2) years of licensed clinical practice experience; OR ii) a two (2) year training program equivalent to family medicine AND have at least one (1) year of licensed clinical practice experience; AND b) completed successfully the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination - Part I (or registered to sit on a date preceding CAPP assessment date. The physician will need to provide documented evidence he/she is registered to sit the exam). The application for the MCCQE - Part I can be found on the MCC website, www.mcc.ca. AND c) have a formal clinical assessment in a recognized Canadian physician assessment program approved by Council. The program approved by Council is the Clinician Assessment for Practice Program (CAPP). Physician should not have been out of clinical practice for any more than the last five (5) years. If you would like a referral to CAPP you will first need to have your credentials reviewed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia OR the medical regulatory authority in the province/territory where you wish to practice to determine your eligibility for licensure for family practice. Please click HERE for information on submitting a credential review request to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. A contact list of other Canadian medical regulatory authorities is available HERE. 3. When and where will the initial assessment take place? The initial assessments are held yearly at the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Learning Resource Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dates are posted on the CAPP website. Candidates are advised not to make travel arrangements until after they have received a written invitation to participate in the assessment. All examinations (written and clinical) and all assessments are conducted in English. 4. What aspects of family practice are assessed? The aspects of family practice examined are as follows: Part One – Therapeutics Exam. A three-hour written exam consisting of 50-60 short-answer questions. This assessment is designed to explore your knowledge of various, common pharmaco-therapeutic agents. Questions will assess pharmacotherapy, adverse effects, disease prevention, and health promotion. It is strongly advised that you review the Therapeutics Examination information available on the CAPP website. Part Two – OSCE. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination is a clinical exam that makes use of simulated patients. This exam format is a half-day examination that mirrors a physician's typical workday in a clinic. The OSCE is designed to assess the following: Clinical knowledge, diagnostic skills, data collection and interpretation, clinical decision making, investigation and treatment planning, professional attitudes, communication skills, and doctor/patient relationship. The questions used in the Therapeutics Examination and the types and content of the clinical cases used in the stations of the OSCE are changed with each CAPP assessment. Relying on rumors or information about examination content, provided by previous candidates, to prepare for the assessment is unwise. Long experience shows that candidates who prepare by counting on presupposed specific examination content most often do poorly because they have not studied and prepared broadly enough. In addition, previous candidates who provide information about CAPP examinations have breached the ethical undertaking they made to maintain the confidentiality of the examinations' contents. Information is provided on this website about sample questions and the conduct of the OSCE. 5. What expenses am I responsible for in relation to the CAPP assessment? Applicants must pay the CAPP assessment fee of $5505.00 before the assessment. CAPP provides information on travel and accommodation in Halifax, but applicants are responsible to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation. 6. What is expected of me in the assessment? You will be expected to exhibit a ‘whole patient' approach by demonstrating the family practice skills of communication, empathy, history taking (relevant and systematic), as they are appropriate to each case. Stations may also involve questions asked by an examiner to explore problem definition and diagnosis, investigation and management. 7. What should I know about exam integrity and security? The Clinician Assessment for Practice Program examinations are made available to candidates, solely for the purpose of assessment for readiness to practice family medicine. Anyone obtaining access to CAPP examination material is obligated to maintain the confidentiality of this information. Candidates are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting this exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of CAPP. By complying with this obligation, candidates help maintain the integrity of CAPP and the value of the assessment. Candidates are asked to do their part by discouraging the sharing of exam questions and making others aware of this policy. 8. How will candidates be informed of their exam results? Candidates will be notified in writing via Canada Post within 60 working days of taking the assessment. To preserve confidentiality, CAPP will not transmit results over the telephone. Please note that CAPP must be notified of an address change at least two (2) weeks before the mailing of result letters. Otherwise the candidate will be required to wait for the original result letter to be returned to CAPP in order to have it redirected to the new address. Only in exceptional circumstances will a copy of an original be sent. 9. How is the confidentiality of my assessment report maintained? Each physician-candidate will sign an Authorization for Release of Report of Assessment allowing CAPP to detail a full Report of Assessment to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia OR other licensing authorities. The report will be sent under a cover letter from the CAPP office to the requesting authority. 10. What is different about this assessment to others conducted in Canada? Each assessment program differs in the type and content of the examinations, eligibility and training requirements. 11. Why does CAPP require me to take its initial assessments when I have passed the Medical Council of Canada examinations? Because CAPP requires that you have successfully completed Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination, your basic medical knowledge will not be assessed by CAPP. However, the CAPP Therapeutic Examination is required to assess the breadth and depth of your therapeutics knowledge necessary for family practice. The CAPP clinical examination (OSCE) is necessary for several reasons even if you have successfully completed the MCC Qualifying Examination Part II (MCCQEII). The CAPP OSCE is designed specifically to assess areas of medicine common to family practice. The aim of the initial CAPP assessment is to determine if you are practice-ready to begin your practice without having attained, at the time, certification of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Successful completion of the MCCQEII does not necessarily entitle physicians to practice in Canada , but it does permit them to continue and complete postgraduate residency training in Canada and be eligible for certification of the College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The assessment report of your CAPP examinations (both Therapeutics and OSCE) is comprehensive and is an essential part of CAPP, providing the foundation for your continuing professional development (CME/CPD) plan and your ongoing support, guidance and assessment by your mentor and sponsor. TOP An orientation process for the OSCE will be held the day before the OSCE. You will be advised of the time and date in your confirmation letter. A useful video orientation for CAPP candidates is available online. 13. What should a candidate do to prepare for an OSCE? International Medical Graduates preparing for CAPP are encouraged to take advantage of training programs, as well as orientations to medical practice in Canada that are available in their community. CAPP strongly advises that you also carefully review information available on the website such as The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): Clinical Format. TOP CAPP does not require a formal specific test of English language. However, physicians' ability to communicate effectively in English will be assessed during their examination. International Medical Graduates whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to take an English language assessment. For more information please check the CAPP website for links to language assessment programs. 15. Is a candidate's success based on a pass or fail mark? The CAPP examinations assess candidates' competence to perform satisfactorily in actual practice. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A "PASS OR FAIL" EXAM, BUT AN ASSESSMENT OF YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. It is the licensing authority's decision as to what constitutes a result that is “satisfactory” to justify granting a license to practice medicine. All decisions regarding licensure are the sole jurisdiction of the licensing authorities. The Report of Assessment supplied by CAPP to the licensing authority will be one factor considered in the decision to offer the Physician-Candidate a licence to practice medicine. A decision to grant a licence is the exclusive prerogative of the licensing authority and a favorable Report of Assessment does NOT guarantee licensure. Acceptance into CAPP does not guarantee a licence from the medical licensing authority as each authority has other regulatory requirements beyond those required by CAPP. 16. Can I retake the CAPP examination if I am not successful in obtaining a medical license? Effective immediately (March 28, 2008) IMG physicians who previously attempted the CAPP assessment and were not successful in being deemed eligible for defined licensure may now reapply for a second attempt at the CAPP assessment (Therapeutics Examination and OSCE) without additional training approved by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. Those interested should contact the Registration
Department of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
Please note that limited space is available for the June 2008 assessment. 17. Can my CAPP assessment report be used to support an application to a residency program? Your copy of the CAPP assessment report is yours to use as you wish. If you are not successful in obtaining a medical license and you wish to apply for a position in a residency program you may forward your report to support your application. Alternatively, the CAPP office will forward a copy of your report under CAPP letterhead to a residency program(s) your designate or to the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). 18. What is the CAPP Clinical Examination Review Process? The review process is intended to provide a mechanism to review process irregularities that may have occurred during the clinical examination, or personal illness, that the candidate believes materially affected their examination performance. The review process does not extend to the content of the examination. Early and prompt attention to a perceived process irregularity will often result in the satisfactory resolution of the matter during the examination. The candidate at the conclusion of the examination must indicate in writing, on-site, the nature of the perceived process irregularity or illness that they believe materially affected their examination performance. The candidate will be interviewed at that time by the Chief Examiner and/or the Examination Deputy Registrar. Also, the candidate must follow up within seven days by writing to the Medical Director of CAPP a detailed description of the perceived process irregularity or the personal illness as to how it affected their examination performance. The matter will be reviewed by the Chief Examiner and the candidate will be notified in writing of the Chief Examiner's determination. A final review by the CAPP Clinical Examination Review Committee may be requested by the candidate after the above steps have been taken by the candidate. Detailed information about the review process will be provided to candidates who initiate the review process on-site at the conclusion of the clinical examination. 19. What if I want more information? Please contact:
Office Address:
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| Page Updated: February 19, 2010 |