Reporting Bias in the CaRMS Process

In light of the recent CBC article raising concerns regarding the integrity of the CaRMS process, and the lack of a meaningful response to this joint statements, a coalition of health and advocacy organizations have come together to create this document to support medical students who have expressed legitimate concerns about the CaRMS process. This document provides resources for medical learners to remind them of their rights and the importance of documenting bias as they undergo the application and interview process.

We encourage candidates to report bias and discrimination directly to CaRMS (please refer to the section on reporting procedures). In the near future, we will share a form to document learner experiences of bias and discrimination in order to take action. In the meantime, we recommend being mindful of the applicant rights outlined below and documenting your experience for your records.

The following is a summary of relevant CaRMS interview guidelines:

1. Applicants should have equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, and other aspects of their identity.
2. There should not be any external lists, data or letters shared, disseminated, or utilized at any stage of the selection process.
3. It is not permitted to ask questions about politics, religion, cultural affiliation, and other affiliations in the interview process.
4. Conflicts of interest and concerns for potential bias must be disclosed and addressed prior to the start of the interview.

In accordance with the CaRMS regulations, we encourage you to take the following actions if you perceive bias or discrimination in the CaRMS process: 

1. Report your concerns directly to CaRMS through their reporting process.
2. Following each interview, reflect on the questions and write down any experiences that were concerning for bias in the process. This includes the date, name of school and program, names of interview panel members, and details of the incident and forms of bias experienced or perceived. It is important to include as many details as possible, as well as how you felt during the interview, (i.e. feeling belittled, shut down, or afraid).    
3. Submit the information you document through the online reporting form once it becomes available in the near future. 

We share your concerns regarding the integrity and introduction of bias to the CaRMS process, and hope the above recommendations help reaffirm your rights and ensure a just match process. We wish you the best of luck in your application and interview process