The Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) program provides physicians with funding for medical education to update and enhance skills and credentials required for rural practice.
These benefits are provided in addition to the CME entitlement provided for in the Benefits Subsidiary Agreement between the BC Government and the Doctors of BC.
The Program
- administered and managed by the health authorities according to the policies established by the JSC
- physicians may use funds for individual or group education purposes
- funds may be used to:
- cover overhead expenses while attending medical training
- purchase new technology or upgrades necessary for participation in CME
- physicians can transfer unspent/banked funds to another health authority when relocating to another RSA community
- a physician can bank RCME funds for up to three years from the year it was earned
- a physician’s annual RCME allowance is dependent on the designation of his or her community and the length of time he or she has practiced in that community (see table below)
Eligibility
- physicians must reside and practice in an eligible RSA community for a minimum of 9 months
- a physician who qualifies for RCME, who does not stay in a community covered by this agreement for a minimum of 12 months, is eligible for a pro-rated amount
Review the RCME policy manual now
| General Practitioners |
Up to 2 Years | In 3rd & 4th Year | Over 4 Years |
| A | $1,320.00 | $3,520.00 | $5,720.00 |
| B | $440.00 | $2,640.00 | $4,840.00 |
| C | $0.00 | $2,200.00 | $4,400.00 |
| D | $0.00 | $1,100.00 | $2,200.00 |
| Specialists | Up to 2 Years | In 3rd & 4th Year | Over 4 Years |
| A | $1,800.00 | $4,800.00 | $7,800.00 |
| B | $600.00 | $3,600.00 | $6,600.00 |
| C | $0.00 | $3,000.00 | $6,000.00 |
| D | $0.00 | $1,500.00 | $3,000.00 |
Learn more about how the isolation points are calculated for your community.
Health authority RCME contacts:
Island Health
Christine Jeffrey, Manager, Physician Compensation
P: 250 755-7691 xt. 56907
physician_comp@viha.ca
Interior Health
Lori Olson, Physician Compensation Assistant
P: 250 862-4418
lori.olson@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health
Heather Gummow, Coordinator, Continuing Medical Education Program
P: 250 565-5814
heather.gummow@northernhealth.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health
Julian Jamieson, Regional Coordinator, Medical Affairs, Physician Recruitment and Benefits
P: 604 875-5084
julian.jamieson@vch.ca
Fraser Health
Jag Sandhu, Consultant, Physician Resources
jag.sandhu@fraserhealth.ca
Nisga’a
George Robinson, Chief Financial Officer
P: 250 633-5000
grobinson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
