Universities and other organizations offer “enhanced skills training programs” for Family Physicians wishing to develop expertise in specialty areas of Family Medicine.

The programs include:

A. Category 1 – programs that lead to a Certificate of Added Competence (CAC)

CACs are issued by The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in the following areas:

• Addiction Medicine - 1 year of training
• Care of the Elderly - 1 year of training
• Emergency Medicine - 1 year of training
• Enhanced Surgical Skills - 1 year of training
• Family Practice Anesthesia - 1 year of training
• Obstetrical Surgical Skills - 9 months of training
• Palliative Care -1 year of training
• Sports and Exercise Medicine - 1 year of training

In all areas, except for Emergency Medicine, after completing the Category 1 Enhanced Skills Program, physicians will receive an invitation from the CFPC to apply for their CAC. In other words, no exam is required!

Emergency Medicine physicians, however, must complete a written and oral exam to receive a CAC.

B. Category 2 – programs that do not lead to a Certificate of Added Competence (CAC)

Canadian universities also offer other enhanced skills training programs that do not lead to a CAC. Samples of programs include:

• Academic Family Medicine - 1 year
• Adolescent Medicine - 6 months of training
• Breast Diseases - 6 months of training
• Chronic Diseases Management - 1 year
• Family Medicine Oncology - 1 year
• HIV Care - 6 months of training
• Hospital Medicine - 1 year of training
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities - 6 months
• 2SLGBTQ Health - 6 months
• Low-Risk Obstetrics - 3 months
• Primary Care Rheumatology
• Women’s Health - 1 year

C. In-Practice Certificate Route leading to a Certificate of Added Competence

To qualify, a physician must have 4 years’ experience (as a licensed independent physician) including a minimum of 400 hours per year in the specialized area. Experience gained as a medical student or resident will not be considered.

Experience/Practice-based Certificate of Added Competence in the following areas: - Addiction Medicine - Care of the Elderly - Emergency Medicine - Palliative Care - Sports & Exercise Medicine

For more information about Certificates of Added Competence, please refer to The College of Family Physicians.