August 29, 2006 Source: :
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2006/mr-06-090.html Learning Locally: UBC Med Students Depart for B.C. Communities The University of British Columbia launched year three of its distributed medical undergraduate program across the province today, responding to the urgent need for more doctors in BC's rural and underserved areas. For the first time, 200 third-year medical students will receive hands-on training at sites in the North (24 students), Vancouver Island (24 students), Fraser Valley (24 students), as well as in Vancouver. "For me, this year will be an opportunity to really put my learning into context, get my feet wet and start living a profession that’s been a dream for me since I was a very small child," says third-year medical student Jen Douse, who is heading to Prince George. "I know it’s going to be a lot of really hard work, but that’s okay with me, especially knowing I get to learn from and work with some of the most skilled and talented physicians in the country." "The expansion and distribution of UBC’s medical program is aimed at educating more doctors for BC," says Dr. Gavin Stuart, Dean, UBC Faculty of Medicine. "These local learning opportunities will allow students to receive an outstanding education with the enthusiasm and perspective of clinician-teachers across the province. We are extremely grateful to all of our partners and the communities involved for their continued commitment to the success of this initiative." The third year of UBC’s medical school program provides hands-on training to students and the opportunity to interact directly with patients. Learning takes place in hospitals, doctors’ offices, community-centred settings and other health-care venues where physicians combine patient care with teaching. Students work closely with clinician-teachers to learn skills that include taking a patient’s history, physical examinations, and identifying patient problems. Medical students will learn practical skills in the areas of Anesthesiology; Dermatology; Emergency Medicine; Internal Medicine; Obstetrics & Gynecology; Orthopedics; Ophthalmology; Pediatrics; Psychiatry and Surgery. During the summer, students gained experience in family practice in more than 80 communities across the province. The UBC distributed program, started in 2004, is the first of its kind in Canada and aims to reduce doctor shortages by training students in northern and underserved areas so they can develop relationships and understanding needed to establish successful careers in those areas after graduation. It is delivered in collaboration with the Government of B.C., the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of Victoria and the provincial regional health authorities. Previously, third-year students learned primarily at Lower Mainland area sites. Attn: Editors – Interviews can be arranged with students in Prince George (Northern Medical Program), Victoria (Island Medical Program) and Vancouver (Vancouver Fraser Medical Program). - 30 -
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