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Future doctors explore health care in Southwestern Ontario communities
By Communications
First-year medical students are trading classrooms for hands-on learning – experiencing health care in communities across Southwestern Ontario as part of Discovery Week.
The long-running initiative at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry places more than 190 students in over 30 participating communities, from Strathroy to Owen Sound.
During these one-week, immersive placements, students are exposed to teamwork and collaboration within a non-urban setting, with opportunities to explore the realities of community-based care – from local hospitals and clinics to the rhythms of life in smaller towns.
“Through Discovery Week, medical students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for rural-regional medicine,” said Dr. Victor Ng, assistant dean of Distributed Education. “We’re training and inspiring a cohort of physicians who are eager and prepared to practise in small and mid-sized communities across Ontario.”
Discovery Week underscores the importance of regional partnerships in addressing physician shortages and building a more equitable health system.
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued collaboration with partners who welcome our medical students into their communities and provide them with unparalleled first-hand experiences,” said Ng.
Since its beginning in 1998, Discovery Week has placed more than 3,700 students in regional communities, many of whom return to build their careers where they once trained.