Reference guidelines

Who can be a referee?

A referee can be a physician, professor or non-clinical individual recommending an applicant for further medical training.

What kinds of reference documents can be requested?

Reference letter: This type of reference document is a detailed letter that describes a referee’s experiences with the applicant and recommending them for further medical training. More information about what a reference letter should include can be found below.

Applicant support form: This type of reference document can be requested by an applicant who is applying to a program that requires it as part of their application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide you with a copy of the form, as it is not provided by CaRMS.

Structured reference letters: This type of reference document will be requested by programs if applicants are applying to one of the disciplines below. This form will automatically be assigned to you when an applicant creates their reference request, and you can complete this form directly in your CaRMS Online referee account.

• Family Medicine
• Emergency Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery

The following two disciplines have received approval for national usage of structured reference letters. However, as they are still within their introductory period, these forms are technically still considered applicant support forms within the program requirements. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide you with a copy of the form, as it is not provided by CaRMS.

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Psychiatry 

How do I submit a reference?

You can submit your reference documents electronically through your CaRMS Online referee account.

What should a reference letter include?

In order to ensure programs receive the information they need to evaluate applicants, reference letters should include:

• A confidentiality statement indicating that the applicant has not seen and will not receive a copy of the reference. 
• The date the letter was written
• The time and duration of your contact with the applicant
• Assessment of the applicant’s
  • Cognitive skills and knowledge
  • Problem solving and patient management skills
  • Behaviour and attitudinal skills
  • Communication skills and working relationships
  • Motivation and punctuality
  • Sense of responsibility
  • Procedural skills specific to the discipline
  • Special qualities and unique contributions

If you are unable to comment on an applicant’s performance in any of these categories, you should indicate in your letter that you have not observed or do not have knowledge of that specific component.