First-year medical students tour PMH communities
Fifteen communities participate in U of M “Rural Week”
An enthusiastic bunch of first-year medical students from the University of Manitoba’s (U of M) Max Rady College of Medicine (Rady Faculty of Health Sciences) got a first-hand look at the sights and sounds of the vibrant rural communities within Prairie Mountain Health ({PMH) region. Students noted the lifestyle opportunities, attractions and experiences in rural areas and, through feedback, provided many positive reviews, including some from participants who were learning of life outside the Manitoba perimeter for the very first time.
Some 46 medical students participated in ‘Rural Week’ within the region from May 26 – May 30 and June 2 – 6. The medical students were assigned to visit 15 participating communities this year, including Brandon, Carberry, Dauphin, Deloraine, Glenboro, Grandview, Hamiota, Killarney, Neepawa, Roblin, Russell, Souris, Ste. Rose, Swan River and Virden.
Rural Week— coordinated annually by the Department of Family Medicine, Shared Health, Health Care Recruitment and Retention Office, and rural, regional health authorities enlist community stakeholders to assist with planning the lifestyle tours and events. Students also participate in various rural physician practices and tours of healthcare sites.
PMH Regional Lead of Medical Services and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Adrian Fung added:
“This exposure is as much about rural lifestyle as it is about rural medicine. Rural Week is an exciting time, as it allows us as a region to highlight our communities, staff, and facilities to the medical students while also giving the students a chance to see how rewarding and fulfilling rural practice can be.”
For example, four students in Ste. Rose provided this overview, which noted the variety of care some family physicians offer in rural areas.
“There are four physicians in Ste. Rose who serve a broad community of patients from multiple other communities such as Rorketon, Ebb and Flow, Kinosota, etc.; many patients have to drive quite far from other places in the catchment area. Dr. Blais, a Metis physician who lives in Dauphin, also drives to Ste. Rose’s hospital to work there. She also does one or two days a week at the Health Center in Ebb and Flow. She is the only physician who works at the Ebb and Flow Health Center, an action that directly serves to bridge the health inequity of access to medical care.”
PMH thanks all physician preceptors, healthcare professionals, and community volunteers whose dedication makes Rural Week successful. This important Week would not have been possible without the commitment and enthusiasm of the communities, who generously share their time and spirit to showcase all they have to offer.
