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
Calendar of Events | CPD web site
Terry McLean
Program Coordinator
Terry.McLean@viha.ca
250 370-8425
Jo-Anne Neustaedter
Admin. Support Central & North Island
Jo-Anne.Neustaedter@viha.ca
250 739-5971
Physician RCME contact:
Christine Jeffrey
Manager, Physician Compensation
P: 250 755-7691 ext. 56907
physician_comp@viha.ca
Antoinette Picone
Coordinator, Continuing Professional Development Program
P: 250 370 8425
antoinette.picone@viha.ca
Interior Health
Rural Continuing Medical Education
250 862-4113 ext 4
claims@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health
Heather Gummow
Coordinator, Continuing Medical Education Program
Northern Health Authority
600-299 Victoria Street
Prince George, BC V2L 5B8
T: 250 565-5814
F: 250 565-2640
E: heather.gummow@northernhealth.ca
Vancouver Coastal Health
Barb Fiddler
Manager, Physician Compensation and Relations
P: 604 984-5783
barbara.fiddler@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
