Katrina Philopoulos, Director, Physician Recruitment Nova Scotia Health, presenting at the Welcome Collaborative

The Welcome Collaborative is a 3-day orientation program which aims to support physicians who are trained outside of Canada (PTOCs) to successfully integrate into medical practice in Nova Scotia.

In 2023, the program onboarded 60 physicians doubling the program’s original estimate for the year.

Of the 60 physicians who participated in the program, 31 were family medicine specialists and 29 practiced in other specialties including psychiatry, internal medicine, and pediatrics.

When physicians come to the Welcome Collaborative, most are issued a Defined licence, which is a time-limited licence that allows physicians to practise medicine under supervision while pursuing long-term licensure. 

Of the 44 physicians on a Defined licence, 38 have transitioned to a Restricted long-term licence that does not require ongoing sponsorship or supervision and is renewed annually.

To date the majority of participants are practicing in Antigonish, Sydney and Dartmouth.

Program evaluations to date continue to inform the program. Physicians have reported that they value the information provided over the 3-day orientation and the importance of connecting with other physicians.