About the CFMS
The CFMS is an organization representing over 8,000 medical students from 15 Canadian medical student societies from coast to coast. We represent medical students to the public, to the federal government, and to national and international medical organizations.Results of the first iteration of the R-1 Match are officially made available at 12:00 (noon) EST on March 3rd.
The CFMS congratulates all Canadian medical students who completed the first iteration R-1 match. You worked hard and the CFMS is proud to have represented you during your medical school journey.
If you did not match and are a CFMS member, we have listed some steps for you to consider. Your Student Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education offices have been made aware of these supports as well:
1) CFMS Unmatched Peer Mentorship Network: If you wish to be put in touch with a previously unmatched student mentor for one-on-one mentorship and peer support, you may contact the CFMS Director of Education at [email protected]. Your confidentiality will be respected.
2) CFMS Matchbook: the 2019-2020 Matchbook is accessible to CFMS members via our website and can be accessed here. It is updated with advice for the unmatched student. More specifically, Section 3.6 “The Unmatched Scenario” is a detailed toolkit put together by the CFMS Unmatched CMG Task Force which is comprised of previously unmatched students.
3) Second Round Application Reimbursement: The CFMS is able to offer all unmatched students $150 to support applying to the second round of the R1 match. The reimbursement form you may use is available here. The deadline for sending in the reimbursement form has been extended from March 30th to April 30th.
4) Wellness Supports: We encourage all learners to be in close contact with their Student Affairs offices for comprehensive support during this process. Our website also has PDF documents for all 15 of our member medical schools with information regarding specific wellness related supports that are always available. They can be accessed here.
The Canadian Medical Association has a wellness resource page with information on helplines offered by provincial physician health programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. These helplines are available to medical students.
The Professional Association of Residents of Ontario offers a 24-hour helpline available to residents, their partners and family members, as well as medical students. The toll-free number is 1-866-HELP-DOC (1-866-435-7362) and is accessible anywhere in Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are not matched after the first iteration, you are not alone. There are many resources to help you as you continue along your journey to being a successful physician.
Student Supports and Resources
Match Day can bring complicated emotions and that is normal, regardless of your match status. If you need support, reach out to your loved ones, your student affairs office, or provincial medical association physician support service and know that you are not alone, today or ever.
For school specific wellness resources, please visit the CFMS wellness page.
Please feel free to get in touch with us at any time by emailing the CFMS Director of Education, Rishi Sharma, at [email protected]. Your confidentiality will be respected.
Safe Spaces: teleconference encouraging peer support between unmatched students.
Who? Any unmatched students from across the country.
What? Safe Spaces is a confidential wellness initiative aiming to join medical students from across the country in conversation surrounding wellbeing. Safe Spaces is in the format of a teleconference, and you can choose to participate anonymously or to be identified. The upcoming session is specifically for unmatched students, with the goal of encouraging peer support.
A physician moderator will be present (Dr. Robert Stein from Learner Equity & Wellness at Western), as well as two CFMS representatives who chair the project, and two guest residents involved in student wellness who can provide insight.
When? Thursday, March 5th 2020, at 7pm EST (5pm MST).
How?
1. To receive a direct link to join, please email [email protected]
2. To remain anonymous, log on to webex.com -> click ‘Join’ in top right -> enter meeting number: 622 474 832 -> password: wellness
3. Please consider downloading the desktop app in advance so everything goes smoothly.
Please feel free to email discussion questions to [email protected] in advance!
