Physicians and surgeons in training who may wish to visit BC temporarily for a clinical or educational experience are required to be registered and licensed with CPSBC for observation, electives or shadowing, including but not limited to being present during patient interviews, diagnostic or clinical examinations, being present in the operating room or during surgical procedures, or being allowed access to patient medical records.
When such a registrant is present with a patient, the supervising registrant must explain the role of the registrant in training and obtain consent from the patient or the patient’s representative before any observation or shadowing is permitted. The consent must be documented in the patient’s medical record.
As clearly outlined in CPSBC’s practice standard, Job Shadowing/Observing, students who are not medical students or enrolled as students of another regulated health professions are not allowed to observe or shadow.
Medical students from outside of BC wishing to complete an elective in BC must apply for a visiting medical student licence.
Visiting physicians and surgeons from other jurisdictions require registration and licensure with CPSBC for observation and shadowing, including reviewing patient medical records. They may be able provide medical care in specific circumstances under supervision when registered in the visitor class for up to six months. The purpose of the visitor class is to support physicians seeking to familiarize themselves with aspects of the Canadian medical system, demonstrate or teach a procedure in which they have expertise, or acquire expertise in a particular procedure.
International and Canadian medical graduates who have not yet obtained certification may seek licensure in the clinical observer class to gain educational experience and familiarize themselves with the clinical and ethical requirements of the Canadian medical system. Clinical observers require an approved registrant as a supervisor and function at the level of a fourth-year medical student in a practice setting.
More information can be found here: