Dr. Stewart Cameron and Dr. Zaida Fragoso facilitators of the Patient Care in Nova Scotia session at the Welcome Collaborative.

Dr. Stewart Cameron and Dr. Zaida Fragoso, facilitators of the Patient Care in Nova Scotia session, offer a practical and compassionate introduction to the realities of practising medicine in the province.

Through a mix of clinical guidance and personal storytelling, the session helps physicians trained outside of Canada navigate the Nova Scotia health-care systems, cultural expectations, and the challenges of starting practice in a new country.

“We cover a wide range of topics—from chronic disease screening and well-baby care to consent and cultural expectations,” says Dr. Cameron, a retired family physician with decades of experience across Canada and New Zealand. “It’s not just about clinical knowledge. It’s about socializing physicians into medicine in Nova Scotia.”

The session encourages open discussion. “We also tailor the discussion to the audience’s interests. We encourage questions, and we encourage participation,” Dr. Cameron explains. “Sometimes our sessions go off track—in a good way—because of the rich conversations that emerge.”

Dr. Fragoso, an internationally trained physician practising family medicine in Halifax, brings a personal perspective to the session. “An important part of being a physician is being flexible, being able to adjust to new environments, and I think our presentation is really good at balancing the guidelines on what is expected in primary care, and my experience and how I had to adjust based on my previous education.”

The session also covers topics such as referrals, virtual hallway consultations, and electronic medical records. “We want physicians to leave feeling confident,” says Dr. Cameron. “They should know what to expect and where to find resources when they need help.”

“There is a tremendous amount of anxiety for physicians trained outside of Canada because this is your professional career, and now you’re switching to another country, and there is this uncertainty,” says Dr. Fragoso. “I think having the Welcome Collaborative that offers information, education, guidance, and support is extremely important.”

For Dr. Fragoso, being a part of the Welcome Collaborative fulfills a long-held dream. “Back in 1999, I sat with a notary trying to legalize my documents and thought, ‘One day I’ll help others through this process.’ Now, I’m part of a team doing just that.”