Principle

Overview

Practice Ready Assessment – Newfoundland and Labrador (PRA-NL), (the “Program”) is administered by the Office of Professional & Educational Development (OPED), Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University (the University). The purpose of PRA-NL is to observe and assess PRA-NL Candidates under the direct supervision of physician assessors during a 12-week Clinical Field Assessment (CFA) to assess readiness to practice in Canada. There is no training component.

Purpose

To provide PRA-NL candidates with a process by which they can request a withdrawal or leave of absence from the Program.

Scope

This policy applies to the PRA-NL program and PRA-NL candidates as stated in the Purpose.

Definitions

Assessment (OPED definition) — A PRA-NL Candidate’s 12-week Clinical Field Assessment (CFA).

Policy

1.0 A PRA-NL candidate can request a withdrawal or leave of absence from the Program due to exceptional or extenuating circumstances as defined and determined by the University.

1.1 Exceptional or extenuating circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may include, but are not limited to:

• Illness or injury;

• Bereavement;

• The worsening of a long-term physical or mental health condition, or the complication/ aggravation of an existing condition;

• Serious adverse personal, professional, or family circumstances, which were not known at the start of the Assessment;

• Unforeseen changes in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) immigration policies which negatively impact the physician;

• Unexpected sudden social upheaval or hostilities arising in the physician’s home jurisdiction which prevent the physician from remaining in Canada.

2.0 A PRA-NL candidate can also request a withdrawal from the Program (not a leave of absence) if they self-identify concerns about their practice readiness. Such requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

3.0 The onus is on the PRA-NL candidate to justify the request for withdrawal or leave of absence by identifying the circumstances for consideration.

Procedures: