Rural Medicine 2008

The Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP) coordinated Rural Medicine Week 2008 (RMW 2008) during four separate weeks throughout the summer.  These different blocks of time allow for more learners to participate in the experience and are also scheduled to compliment the curriculum of the medical schools.  Overall, ninety learners visited fourteen communities for RMW 2008.  Each community organized clinical experiences for the learners, pairing them with preceptors in many different facets of hospital work; some communities showed the students a different side of health care by arranging for them to spend time with and receive presentations from other health professionals.  Through months of planning and community involvement, each community delivered a memorable week of unparalleled clinical experiences and social activities. 

The first week of RMW 2008 was held from May 20th - May 23rd in Cobourg, Lindsay and Port Colborne. Eleven medical students from Queen's and Ottawa Universities enjoyed their first hands on clinical experiences through many scheduled shifts with preceptors.  They also attended several unique social outings.  Global TV had aired the first two segments of a three part series on health care during the previous month and the students in Cobourg were interviewed and featured for the final segment as part of the recruitment and retention focused conclusion.  The medical students in Lindsay were scheduled into many hospital shifts and social events.  They were also treated to the best of both worlds with a suturing clinic held at a preceptor's beautiful lakeside cottage, followed by a dinner with local physicians and politicians!  Highlights from Port Colborne's RMW 2008 included a tour of historic Wainfleet.  Port Colborne's Rural Medicine Week learners gave a CROP presentation to local high school students, outlining the process and lifestyle of becoming a medical student.

Sixty four medical trainees from Ottawa University and the University of Toronto flooded the communities of Barrie, Brantford, Georgina, Midland, Niagara Falls, Orangeville, Orillia, Trent Hills and Simcoe during the second Rural Medicine Week of 2008 from June 2nd - June 6th.  Learners in Barrie participated in an introductory ATV rescue course, while the learners in Brantford were treated to fitness classes and tours of local attractions.  Georgina highlighted their landscape by treating the medical students to many fun water activities, including a boat excursion with the York Regional Police.  Students in Orangeville relaxed while canoing on Island Lake and went on a horseback riding excursion.  The coordinators for Trent Hills' RMW 2008 organized a picnic lunch in Ferris Park and a tour across a suspension bridge.  In Midland, the medical students enjoyed a trip to "Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons" as one of the many activities within the community.  Niagara Falls treated the students to the region's popular tourist attractions with a ride on the Maid of the Mist and a tour underneath the waterfalls.  Orillia learners tried their luck at the Casino Rama and enjoyed many meals with influential community members.  Simcoe showed off their community through boat and bus trips and many meals at local restaurants.  Aside from these great experiences, the medical students were exposed to a variety of hands on clinical sessions. 

Canada Day kicked off the third block of Rural Medicine Week 2008, which ended on July 4th, creating a red and white week filled with parades.  Cambridge hosted eight medical learners from McMaster University and the University of Toronto.  The students enjoyed a trip to the African Lion Safari among numerous other activities hosted by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.  Their clinical experience included suturing, casting and, "in case the doctor thing doesn't work out", pottery.

The final block of Rural Medicine Week 2008 followed two weeks later from July 14th - July 18th for seven learners in Peterborough and Port Colborne.  The new Peterborough Regional Health Centre was ready just in time for the medical students to experience their clinical activities in a number of departments.  At the farewell lunch, reporters from all aspects of local media interviewed the learners, asking about their experiences and opinions of Peterborough.  The two learners in Port Perry experienced the rural physician lifestyle by living with a local general practitioner and her family for the week.  These learners, along with other trainees in Port Perry at the time, were the guests of honour at a fabulous dinner party that included all of the local physicians and their families. 

This year's Rural Medicine Week was a huge success!  All of the participating medical students raved about the communities in which they were placed and the activities that were planned.  The clinical experiences to which they were exposed gave them great insight to future aspects of medicine and a broader understanding of rural medicine.  Many of the students who participated in RMW 2008 have maintained contact with the community coordinator, voicing an interest to return to the community for future rotations.  Although Rural Medicine Week began as a ROMP initiative, without the community participation and organization, it would not be the success that it is today.  Both the students who participate and the staff at ROMP are grateful for all of the community members who are involved in planning and executing Rural Medicine Week.

Planning for next year's Rural Medicine Week is underway!  There are many students who are already eager for their rural learning experience next summer.  If you would like your community to participate in Rural Medicine Week 2009, please contact the ROMP office at undergrads@romponline.com