Doctors of BC supports 4th year students' preparation for residency

One of the most stressful and challenging times for medical students comes in their fourth year of study: the transition to residency. Students chose a discipline, apply for, and are invited to interviews that play a critical role in their future as doctors. On January 7th Doctors of BC and the CMA partnered for the BC portion of a nationwide event to help prepare these doctors-in-training for their interviews.

The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) facilitates medical students’ application to residency placements across Canada. Interviews take place nationally this year from January 14 – February 5. The CaRMS process can be a huge source of anxiety and stress for students.

On January 7th CaRMS Mock Interviews were held in 16 locations across the country, with 146 residents practise interviewing almost 1200 students. Doctors of BC lead the BC event, hosting more than 165 medical students in 20 sessions over the day. The mock interviews provide fourth-year medical students an opportunity to practice answering questions from residents who have successfully passed through the CaRMS process. Students are asked questions one might expect, like “What is the biggest problem facing the health care system these days?” as well as more obscure ones like, “If you were a kitchen utensil, which one would you be and why?” Students also have the opportunity to learn from the residents’ experience by getting tips about what to pack, what to wear, and how to get to the interviews.

Throughout the course of the day students provided organizers positive feedback, saying “Thanks for an amazing session. This was really helpful for my CaRMS prep!” “Thank you so much for organizing this very helpful event! We’re very grateful.”

Now in its second year in BC, the CaRMS Mock Interviews took place at the recently renovated Doctors of BC offices in Vancouver. Doctors of BC staff were proud to welcome members into this flexible new facility and look forward to welcoming members at future meetings at events.

The CaRMS Mock Interviews are one of a series of events Doctors of BC runs to support members throughout their careers.

View our Photo Gallery from the event.