The Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) Individual program provides funding directly to physicians to support opportunities for physicians to participate in medical education to update and enhance medical 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
- funds are paid directly to physicians and administered and managed by the health authorities according to the policies established by the JSC
- physicians may use funds for individual 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 per year
- 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
Interior Health physicians can look for CME/CPD opportunities on their website here.
Antoinette Picone
RCME Liaison – Community Program (Island Health)
Antoinette.Picone@viha.ca
Nicole Baker
Rural programs’ Liaison – RCME Individual (Island Health)
Nicole.Baker@islandhealth.ca
Interior Health
Nicole Hochleitner-Wain
RCME Liaison – Community Program (Interior Health)
nicole.hochleitnerwain@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health
Shar McCrory
RCME Liaison – Community Program (Northern Health)
Shar.McCrory@northernhealth.ca
Jayleen Emery
RCME Community Coordinator (Northern Health)
jayleen.emery@northernhealth.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health
Eva Jackson
Financial Analyst – Rural Programs
RCME Liaison – Community Program (Coastal Health)
eva.jackson@vch.ca
P: 604-786-0858
Fraser Health
Cathy Koe
Coordinator, Physician Compensation
catherine.koe@fraserhealth.ca
Joan Gu
Financial Analyst, Physician Compensation
joan.gu@fraserhealth.ca
Nisga’a
George Robinson, Chief Financial Officer
grobinson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
P: 250 633-5000
