International Medical Graduates, Curriculum Choice, and SEAP Eligibility

Postgraduate medical education (PGME) is currently delivered through two broad educational models:

• Traditional pathway using In-Training Assessment Reports (ITARs)
• Competence by Design (CBD) pathway

CBD is the national Royal College framework now used across Canadian PGME and focuses on demonstrating competence through progressive clinical responsibility, direct observation, and continuous feedback.

Our neuroradiology residency program transitioned to CBD on July 01, 2024, and all Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs) must follow the CBD pathway.

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are not formally registered in our neuroradiology residency program. Our neuroradiology clinical fellowship program offers both ITAR and CBD curriculum options. As such, depending on their personal educational and career goals, IMGs are free to choose between a competency-based versus traditional-based fellowship curriculum.

IMGs should understand that:

• Both the ITAR and CBD pathways are respected methods of assessing specialist competence,
• Success in either pathway depends heavily on engagement, adaptability, and professionalism,
• Neither pathway guarantees an easier or harder fellowship experience, 
• Educational culture, mentorship, collegiality, and wellness supports are often more important than the assessment structure, and
• Our program’s goal is not simply the completion of assessments, but a Clinical Fellow’s development into a safe, independent, and thoughtful neuroradiologist.

IMGs who want to pursue the Royal College Subspecialty Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP) must meet the same training requirements as CMGs. The key point is that, to meet this requirement, IMGs must have their fellowship training delivered in accordance with the CBD educational framework. PGME requires those IMGs wanting to follow the CBD/SEAP route to declare this choice before the commencement of training.