Fewer Canadians among medical students CMAJ 1997;156(4):476 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association More students were admitted to Canada's 16 medical schools in 1996­97 than in the previous year, but fewer were Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. The Association of Canadian Medical Colleges (ACMC) says the increase can be attributed to a sharp jump in the number of foreign students, who pay much higher fees because they are charged on a cost-recovery basis. In 1996­97 the number of newly admitted foreign students hit a peak of 76, accounting for almost 5% of new admissions. The January issue of ACMC Forum warns that any future examination of enrolment trends should consider the growing share of new places occupied by non-Canadians, who in theory will not practise in Canada. Since 1980­81, the number of positions available for Canadian undergraduates has dropped by 18%, or 334 places, Forum reports. Downsizing was well advanced before recommendations contained in the Barer­Stoddart report were adopted, and by the year 2000 fewer than 1500 citizens and permanent residents will earn medical degrees at Canadian universities. While foreign students in theory will not practise medicine in Canada, they will be eligible for postgraduate training here. | CMAJ February 15, 1997 (vol 156, no 4) / JAMC le 15 février 1997 (vol 156, no 4) |