• Dr. Velma Harkins - Clinical Director, Irish College of GPs IMG Rural GP Programme; Vice President Elect of the Irish College of GPs.

• Caroline Keyes - Programme Manager of the IMG Rural GP Programme,

• Dr Diarmuid Quinlan – Medical Director, Irish College of GPs

• Dr John Maher - Host

Summary

This is Part 2 of our series focusing on the IMG Rural Programme from the Irish College of GPs. 

In this pary we will hear two conversations with host Dr John Maher.  The first is with Dr Velma Harkins, Clinical Director and a GP with an interest in rural general practice, diabetes care and GP training.  Velma provides context for the programme, how it developed, the need it serves to address, and the vision for its place in general practice provision in Ireland.

We follow Velma’s interview with a conversation with Caroline Keyes, Programme Manager for the IMG Rural GP Programme, a role she currently job-shares with Carmel Brennan.  Caroline provides an overview of some of the practical aspects of applying: 

·       Eligibility

·       Required documentation

·       Support available from the College throughout the application process

Email

imgruralprogramme@icgp.ie

Links

· International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme - Webpage

· “Be A GP” Campaign – Irish College of GPs

· Article in Irish Times re: IMG Programme – Dr Y Rhemtula, 2023

· “The GP Podcast” Webpage

IMG Programme – Additional Details

Why 

· The International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme is designed to address the shortage of GPs in rural Ireland.

· It helps experienced overseas GPs integrate safely into Irish general practice.

· It is a supported pathway to specialist registration in Ireland

· The programme is delivered by the Irish College of GPs and is supported by the HSE, the Irish Medical Council and medical indemnity bodies.

· It is not a GP training programme.

· IMG GPs are on the programme for two years.  During this time, they work in daytime rural GP practice (plus some out-of-hours).  They have a Clinical Mentor who is based in their practice.  They must complete a self-directed learning programme that includes a four-day induction programme, completion of online education courses provided by the College of GPs, University College Dublin and the HSE.  Successful completion of the education programme and the MICGP exams means that the IMG GP can apply for entry to the Specialist Division of the Register in General Practice in Ireland.

Basic eligibility criteria

· Medical degree outside Ireland  

· Eligible for Irish Medical Council registration  

· IELTS ≥7.0 (or OET B)  

Experience

· ≥3 years GP experience (daytime practice mainly) 

· ≥3 months post graduate general medicine and paediatrics  

Other

References + good standing letters  
Proof of medical indemnity 
Cannot have failed or left a GP training programme previously

Work & employment conditions

· Mandatory rural placement for 2 years  

· Employed directly by a host rural GP practice  

· Practice arranges:

o   Contract

o   Work permits, if required

o   Garda vetting  

What the programme gives IMGs (why it’s popular):

Advantages

· Avoids repeating full 4-year GP training

· Faster specialist registration route

· Paid employment during pathway

· Mentorship support

· High retention demand in Ireland

Limitations

· Rural only for 2 years

· Requires prior GP experience

· Must complete the education programme and pass MICGP to progress

• Dr Yasin Rhemtula - Graduate of Irish College of GPs IMG Programme  

• Dr Brendan Payne - Clinical Mentor, IMG Programme

• Dr Diarmuid Quinlan – Medical Director, Irish College of GPs

• Dr John Maher - Host

Summary

Brendan and Yasin reflect on their own experiences with the IMG programme, sharing powerful personal and professional insights they have learned along their respective journeys with the IMG programme.  

They also celebrate the real difference that participating in the Irish College of GPs IMG Programme has made to their personal lives, professional career prospects, as well as to the communities they serve.

Email

imgruralprogramme@icgp.ie

Links

• International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme - Webpage
• “Be A GP” Campaign – Irish College of GPs
• Article in Irish Times re: IMG Programme – Dr Y Rhemtula, 2023
• “The GP Podcast” Webpage

IMG Programme – Additional Details

Why 

• The International Medical Graduate Rural GP Programme is designed to address the shortage of GPs in rural Ireland.
• It helps experienced overseas GPs integrate safely into Irish general practice.
• It is a supported pathway to specialist registration in Ireland
• The programme is delivered by the Irish College of GPs and is supported by the HSE, the Irish Medical Council and medical indemnity bodies.
• It is not a GP training programme.
• IMG GPs are on the programme for two years.  During this time, they work in daytime rural GP practice (plus some out-of-hours).  They have a Clinical Mentor who is based in their practice.  They must complete a self-directed learning programme that includes a four-day induction programme, completion of online education courses provided by the College of GPs, University College Dublin and the HSE.  Successful completion of the education programme and the MICGP exams means that the IMG GP can apply for entry to the Specialist Division of the Register in General Practice in Ireland.

Basic eligibility criteria

• Medical degree outside Ireland  
• Eligible for Irish Medical Council registration  
• IELTS ≥7.0 (or OET B)  

Experience

• ≥3 years GP experience (daytime practice mainly) 
• ≥3 months post graduate general medicine and paediatrics  

Other

References + good standing letters  
Proof of medical indemnity 
Cannot have failed or left a GP training programme previously

Work & employment conditions

• Mandatory rural placement for 2 years  
• Employed directly by a host rural GP practice  
• Practice arranges:
  • Contract
  • Work permits, if required
  • Garda vetting

What the programme gives IMGs (why it’s popular):

Advantages

• Avoids repeating full 4-year GP training
• Faster specialist registration route
• Paid employment during pathway
• Mentorship support
• High retention demand in Ireland

Limitations

• Rural only for 2 years
• Requires prior GP experience
• Must complete the education programme and pass MICGP to progress