If you are a medical student or a doctor, and you have any question regarding any topic discussed or related to this blog, for example:
-Undergraduate studies
-Postgraduate studies, specially in Canada
-Writing your CV
-Interview strategies
-Hematology
-Other related topics
Then you are welcome to post your questions here. I will do my best to help you or refer you to who might help.
About me: I’m a medical graduate from King AbdulAziz University-Jeddah, KSA and is studying internal medicine and planning to go for clinical hematology later. Currently I’m training in the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Good luck
20 Comments
June 24, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Hypertension
Please guide me to a web portal that may update my awareness about hypertension and the causes behind it.
June 25, 2007 at 12:39 am
Hello Yasser
That’s an excellent question because hypertension is a vey common health problem.
Keep in mind: when you are browsing the internet for medical information, you have to go to trustable web sites, like those for well-known medical institutes. Being able to read in English is a great advantage.
Regarding finding medical information on the internet you may check this page:
http://www.vch.ca/centreforpatients/resources.htm
Regarding hypertension specifically check these:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000468.htm
http://www.bpassoc.org.uk/
http://www.hypertension.ca/chep/public/publicEducationva.asp
The first website is a medical encyclopedia which covers almost all health problems with illustrations.
The other 2 are dedicated for hypertension.
Hope these help. Just write again if u need anything else.
Wish you a lasting good health.
June 25, 2007 at 12:45 am
Sorry because the addresses of the websites are not shown completely in the previous comment.
Here are they again, but shorter:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
Choose high blood pressure from the health topics
http://www.hypertension.ca
Choose public
The other 2 addresses look fine.
Good luck
June 25, 2007 at 7:16 am
Thanks a lot Dr ..
Actually hypertension is a special interest of mine because I’ve been on medication since my high school.
Once again thank you
June 26, 2007 at 6:22 am
Salamat Yasser.
Just make sure to follow up regularly with a good doctor.
Good luck.
July 17, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Hi doctor
It is really nice from you to try to help the young doctors in getting acceptance in Canada as this is a very complicated and vague process for most of the medical students.
Now let me tell you, I am a Medical Graduate from Saudi Arabia and I will be sponsored by my university to go for Canada for postgraduate medical studies in Internal Medicine, now I need sometime to complete my process to get a job in the university which may take several months, and according to my knowledge I will need a sponsorship letter from my sponsor plus the MOHE paper + Graduation certificate + transcript + CV + MCCEE score + passport, so I hope I will be able to apply for 2008 residency programs
my questions:
when will be the last date in accepting papers from Saudi Arabian graduates in Canadian universities for residency programs in 2008?
what are the papers and documents needed apart from what I mentioned above?
After I send my papers to the Saudi Bureau, will they start sending it to the top universities first (McGill, UBC, UofT), or is it totally dependent on my luck?
can I get acceptance in more than one university?
thanks in advance, wish you all the good luck in your career and studies wherever you go, and waiting for your reply.
July 17, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Hello Zezo and welcome to my blog.
I’m really grateful for your questions as they summarize what most applicants find vague.
According to the chart posted on the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau website : http://saudibureau.org/applcations-chart.pdf
, applications are supposed to be recieved maximally by July.
It is often so difficult to apply in the same year you start your job in a Saudi university. It happened with some people but not with me or any of my friends.
Although another year of waiting may seem long, you will eventually find it very beneficial in terms of clinical and research experience,improving your CV, self-confidence and financial support. You can even save some money during this year so you can spend it in Canada!
In my own experience: I started my job in KAAUH in Oct 2005, sent my application papers on May 2006, had my interviews in Oct-Nov 2006, and started residency in July 2007.
The application papers include all what you mentioned in addition to 3 recommendation letters (preferable from Canadian trainees), the inetrnship certificate and personal photos. For more details visit the Saudi Bureau website again. It is
http://www.saudibureau.org
This site should be your friend.
You will need to send no less than 9 certified copies of your certificates and transcript. If you had the TOEFL you might want to include a copy of the result letter too. I suggest that you also write a personal statement. It really makes a difference.
When you send these papers, include a letter to the Cultural attache, describing who you are, and the specialty you are applying for. In addition, mention that you want your application to be sent to any specific universities (whether it is the best in the specialty you want, or you have a family member living there…etc). Your application will be sent to 8 universite usually, including the ones you mention in your letter.
Can you get accepted in more than one university? Oh yeah
When you receive the interview offers, try to cluster them close to each other. If you got an acceptance in more than one place, then you will be the one choosing, not them! Applying in internal medicine residency gives you a really good chance of having alot of offers and interviews. Surgery-based specialty applicants are not that lucky, although some are (mashalla).
In my blog there is a postgradute medical training section. Take a look. If you have ANY other Q, don’t hesitate to wrie again. I would really like to help. Wish you all the best.
July 20, 2007 at 8:13 pm
thank you doctor
it seems that I may not be able to start in July 2008, so I have to wait till 2009, well I think that will be even better so I may apply earlier and get a better position enshallah, anyway thank you so much for the valuable information and I think I will need to ask you some more questions later on so please be patient with me lol
all the best doctor w 3ogbal ma terja3e belsalamah enshallah
July 22, 2007 at 8:46 am
Welcome back Zezo…
You still have the option of sending your application papers as soon as you get the financial guarantee from your work. No body knows! Maybe you would still have a chance.
If you did that and didn’t get accepted for 2007 then send your application again on May 2008 to start on 2009. But remember to update your CV so they won’t think you did nothing to improve yourself for about 6 months.
Try to be involved in research and volunteer activities. These improve your chances.
You are welcome anytime if you have any further questions. Good luck.
April 30, 2008 at 6:56 pm
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
First I would like to thank for your efforts.
Second :
I am a 4th year medical student and I would like to have medical training in the summer in Canada. Where to check my options?
Third:
I would also like to know more about getting involved in medical research or even having a bachelor degree . I tried to search online and actually I get lost
Regards,
May 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi Rabaa,
Thanks for dropping by
Regarding an elective in Canada:
This is offered by some universities for students in their final year. I know University of Trornto is one of them, however University of British Columbia is not unfortunately.
Here are some webpages from the websites of some universities. Hope they help as a start:
University of Alberta
http://www.med.ualberta.ca/education/ugme/clinicaled/electives_edmonton.cfm?yr=3
International students contact info available
University of Calgary
http://medicine.ucalgary.ca/undergrad/ume/electives
University of Western Ontario
http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/education/ume/index.php?page=VSEInternationalApp
University of Toronto
http://www.facmed.utoronto.ca/programs/md/curriculum/electives/visiting/international/guidelines.htm
McGill University
http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/ugme/electives/visiting_intro_en.htm
Dalhousie Univerity
http://undergraduate.medicine.dal.ca/electives.htm
Regarding the 2nd question: I am personally still looking for a research opportunity myself! I believe one of the ways is finding a supervisor first. I’m not sure how!
I’ll certainly post an answer here if I found one!
Wish you all the best Rabaa
July 21, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Clinical electives in Canada for students have been over flooded a long time ago for this year’s summer. The positions have been filled months ago and only a lucky few got accepted in Canada’s universities using the official means. Of course there are the luckier few who managed to get positions for training through personal contacts!
June 10, 2009 at 2:19 am
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
الحقيقة المدونة غاية في الروعة والشمول
كثير من الاسئلة اللي كانت تراودني حصلت لها اجابات هنا
راح انتهي من فترة الامتياز الشهر هذا وانا خلصت اختبار الكناديان الشهر الماضي بس الى الان ماطلعت النتايج
ابغى اسأل عن ال
observship
في كندا هل تفيدني في زيادة فرص القبول وكيف اقدم عليها ؟؟
وكذلك ابغى استفسر عن ال
research opportunity in canada … would it help me in my application …
June 10, 2009 at 10:36 pm
أهلا
Dr.Intern
و عليكم السلام و رحمة الله و بركاته
تسعدني استفادتك و اتمنى لك نتيجة رائعة في الامتحان
أعتقد أن فترة
observership
في كندا تفيد إذا كنت تعلم بالضبط أي جامعة تريد. عندما تقضي معهم وقتا فقد تعجبهم مواصفاتك و هذا قد يزيد فرصتك في القبول
أيضا قد يفيدك هذا بعد القبول في التأقلم الأسرع
لكن لا تنس أنه عادة لن تكون عندك رخصة للتدريب أو لمزاولة الطب و هذا يعني أنك ستكون عادة مجرد متفرج لا أكثر. لن يكون الوضع رائعا لك أو لهم
الموضوع أيضا
مكلف عادة : في السفر و السكن
بصراحة أنا شخصيا لا أراها ضرورية إلا إذا كان المجال الذي تنوي التقديم فيه يصعب فيه القبول جدا
لكن إذا قررت فما عليك إلا أن تبحث عن موقع القسم و ترسل إيميل لرئيس البرنامج
Program director
و تسأله عن إمكانية ذلك في الفترة التي تريد
بالنسبة للأبحاث بشكل عام فهي مهمة جدا لكن بإمكانك الاشتراك فيها في السعودية
لا أعتقد أن إجراءها في كندا فكرة عملية فقد تأخذ شهورا كثيرة جدا حتى تنتهي
بالتوفيق
June 11, 2009 at 4:16 am
شكرا على هذه الاجابة الوافية والسريعة
I want to apply for radiation oncology …
And I’ve heard that it’s so competitive there …
I personally know 4 saudis waiting for a chance to get a spot and only one get a spot although one of them trying since 3 yrs ….
so , any advice for me to increase my chance …
Do you know any resident in this specialty so that I can contact him ….
again , thank you so much for your help ….
June 21, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Hi again Dr.Intern,
Yes I heard this specialty might be competitive. An elective/observership might be a good idea.
Wish you all the best.
July 24, 2009 at 12:33 am
Good Morning ….
How are you doing doctor ??
These days I’m preparing my papers to be sent to the saudi bureau and I’ve questions regarding my application for residency …
I got the sponsorship letter from my university and I asked them about the approval letter { قرار ابتعاث Decree letter } and they told me that it’s a confidential letter and should be sent directly by the university to the MOHE and it will take 1 to 2 months to be ready … and they told me that you can send your papers without the approval letter { قرار ابتعاث Decree letter } and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau can process your papers and when the approval letter is ready the ministry will send it directly to Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau ….
So, Can I send my papers these days ?? because every thing is ready to be sent and I don’t want to apply late since I’ve heard that the priority is for those who applied earlier …and also the deadline for application is september 1 ….
Lastly , I want to ask if there is any way to bring the approval by myself to speed up the process ??
Is the approval letter that they require to start processing my papers same as that for the usual scholarship { قرار ابتعاث Decree letter } ?? if there is any difference please tell me because it may shorten waiting time for the letter ??
Thank you so much for your cooperation .
I sent this message 4 days ago to 2 of personnel in Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau but unfortunately , no one answered me …
I’m waiting for your answer because I will travel to the ministry in Riyadh tomorrow . if there is a need ….
July 24, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Hi again Dr.Intern,
I’m not sure which university is sponsoring you. In my case, when I applied in 2006 through KAAU, I only had
خطاب الضمان المالي
from the university.
There was another document that was sent directly from MOHE to the Saudi cultural bureau.
If things these days are the same as they used to be, then you probably need to send your documents now with a copy of the letter u already have. It is unlikey that there is anything you can do to speed up the process. It shouldn’t be very long though.
That’s what I know
و الله أعلم
Hope that helps. Let me know about your good news.
July 25, 2009 at 12:55 am
Thank you so much Doctor for this reply because I was searching for an answer since 6 days in many websites …
It seems that the approval letter to be sent by MOHE and not me …
Another question if you don’t mind :
The exam score has not shown yet and I’ve heard that Saudi cultural bureau can take the result directly from Medical Council of Canada if I give them consent … is that right??
Again , thank you for this great help …
October 4, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Dr.Intern
I apologize for not getting back to you earlier. I’m sure you found out that the answer is Yes. The Saudi Bureau can obtain the results on its own.
I hope your application process is going well. All the best.