Students from the University of Manitoba’s (U of M) Max Rady College of Medicine participated in ‘Rural Week’ within Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region from May 30- June 4.
Finding and retaining medical doctors in rural locations has proved challenging and it is hoped that an on-the-ground experience in rural health facilities, and in the communities they serve, will prepare new doctors to consider a rural medical practice.
Nine health centres were involved, with Hamiota being the nearest to Virden. We wanted to hear the students’ first-hand impressions.
Students responded to five questions to share their impressions with Empire-Advance readers. Although these medical students were raised in small towns, their answers indicate the inside view of healthcare delivery in Hamiota Health Centre was a valuable five-day experience.
Where are you from?
“We both live in Winnipeg now, but we were both born and raised in rural communities (Jenn came from Stony Mountain, and Cathleen came from St. Laurent).”
Were you familiar with Western Manitoba or with Hamiota in particular?
“No, neither of us have spent any time in this area.”
Who did you work with mainly, here in Hamiota?
We worked with many wonderful and friendly health care providers here in Hamiota! We each spent time with Dr. Hanna, Dr. Chalise, and Dr. Gooden, as well as the Med 3 student Kristen. Additionally, the nursing staff, dieticians, home care staff, occupational and physiotherapists OT and PT (occupational and physiotherapists), and medical office staff taught us a lot about rural health care and helped to make us feel welcome in the facility and the community. It was really interesting learning about the public health programs, chronic disease management, homecare services, and OT/PT services offered in Hamiota and the surrounding areas.
What, if anything surprised/impressed you about the town and the medical facility? The rural setting?
“We both noticed how well the health care staff function as a team! Each of the doctors has a history working in different fields, and so they divide the patient load according to which doctors have the most experience in each area of care. Additionally, I was surprised at the wide scope of practice. As each of the docs has their own patients as well as walk-in patients, patients on the ward, and (each) has their days on-call in the emergency room - they see a lot of different patients from different demographics with a wide range of concerns and conditions.”
What kind of medicine do you plan to pursue in your career?
Jenn: “I am considering internal medicine, family medicine, and palliative care currently. I am not certain where I will end up at this time but I have a lot of interest in chronic disease management.”
Cathleen: “I am not sure what area I will end up in but have interests in family medicine, emergency medicine and palliative care currently. My goal is to keep an open mind with all our placements so I don’t prematurely rule something out that could be a good fit.”
Do you foresee working in a rural or northern setting?
Jenn: “At this point I don’t think my main practice will be in a rural community as I have a home in the city, and my spouse works in the city, and I don’t like to be away from home for too long. I do however have an interest in doing short spurts in rural communities such as offering mobile clinics or covering shifts in small towns.”
Cathleen: “I’m not sure at this point but it is definitely a possibility. I like many aspects of rural living but the convenience offered by the city makes it hard to leave completely. A split between rural and the city would be ideal for me if the area of medicine I decide on allows.”
ABOUT
Rural Week— coordinated annually by the Department of Family Medicine, Shared Health (Manitoba HealthCare Providers Network) and rural regional health authorities —provides medical students with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of how rural and northern Manitoba medical practices function. It also promotes the many benefits of working and living in a rural/northern Manitoba area.
PMH remains an active partner throughout the week— with 27 medical students assigned to nine communities. Communities participating this year include Brandon, Dauphin, Hamiota, Killarney, Minnedosa, Neepawa, Russell, Ste. Rose and Swan River.
