The Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) Individual 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 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
IH physicians can look for CME/CPD opportunities at medicalstaff.islandhealth.ca/
Antoinette Picone
Coordinator
RCME Community Program (Island Health)
Antoinette.Picone@viha.ca
250 370-8425 | 236 638-1124 (cell)
Christine Van Bruggen
Financial Coordinator, Rural Programs
Medical Staff Contract Management
Christine.Vanbruggen@viha.ca
250 755-7691, ext. 52283
Interior Health
Rural Continuing Medical Education
Nicole Hochleitner-Wain, Coordinator
250 256-9158
Nicole.hochleitnerwain@interiorhealth.ca
Northern Health
Danielle Richey
Coordinator, RCME Community Program (Northern Health)
Danielle.Richey@northernhealth.ca
250-641-5974
Jayleen Emery
Coordinator, Continuing Medical Education Program (Northern Health)
jayleen.emery@northernhealth.ca
778-349-6432
Vancouver Coastal Health
Barb Fiddler
Manager, Physician Compensation and Relations
barbara.fiddler@vch.ca
604 984-5783
Fraser Health
Jag Sandhu, Consultant, Physician Resources
jag.sandhu@fraserhealth.ca
Nisga’a
George Robinson, Chief Financial Officer
grobinson@nisgaahealth.bc.ca
P: 250 633-5000
