Excessive applications unnecessary

I heartily agree with Dr Delva’s article in the January 2021 issue of Canadian Family Physician¹ about the excessive number of Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) applications, and how this is often not necessary. When I applied to family medicine through CaRMS in 2002 (and, admittedly, family medicine was less popular back then), I only applied to a few programs. As a result, my interview weeks were quite relaxed and even enjoyable as I discovered the schools and the cities in which they were located.

I would argue that it does not really matter where you train. A family medicine residency is only 2 years. You are going to be busy reading and working. You will learn from any patients you see, and you will learn something from any teachers you get. You will meet new people. Even if you are far away from home, there are ways to stay connected to people you care about. Even in my day there were ways! After the 2 years are over, you can choose to move somewhere else, or stay.

As preceptors, we might give some advice to medical students who intend to apply to family medicine: do not let the CaRMS match dominate your life!

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