Shaping Our Medical Education Journey - College of Medicine ...

Janessa Grosenick
Externships Fuelling Interest
in Rural Family Medicine
24 C O M M U N I Q U É College of Medicine • University of Saskatchewan
Program reinvigorated thanks to
Physician Recruitment Agency
Students are very likely to establish their medical practice in a location where they
received medical training or completed a residency program. In the College of Medicine,
our students are increasingly taking advantage of the chance to explore their options in
rural family medicine by learning and training in communities and health regions across
Saskatchewan. The externships run during the summer months for a minimum of four
weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks in rural health facilities across the province.
To help ensure the long-term success of this popular learning opportunity, the Physician
Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan, more commonly referred to as Saskdocs, is happy
to announce it is administering the PRAS Rural Externship Program (PREP). Under the
program, the student is of course, not licenced to practice medicine. However, they do
gain invaluable clinical experience through shadowing practicing physicians every step
of the way. The lessons learned are all about best practices in diverse settings
and communities.
“Some students go to Estevan, some go to La Loche, it all depends on the student,” said
Gabriella Mezo-Kricsfalusy, PRAS’ administrator of the program. “The students who go
through this program get hands on experience working alongside a practicing physician;
the physician receives a stipend to supervise the student; and the health regions and
communities get a chance to wow the student to convince him or her to come back to
the community after graduating – so really it’s a win-win-win situation all around,”
says Gabriella.
Alistair Smith, class of 2012, completed his externship in Estevan in 2010. Looking back
on his experience, Smith recalled how the diverse practice of a rural setting was so
exciting. “During my five weeks in Estevan I stayed in a suite right in the hospital, meaning
I was roughly 100 feet from both the emergency department on the ground floor and
the labour and delivery unit upstairs. Being a young and keen medical student, I asked
the nurses and staff in both departments to call me at any time if something cool or
interesting came in and they were happy to oblige,” said Smith.
Janessa Grosenick, class of 2013, chose to do her externship in her hometown of Radville.
Grosenick said it was a humbling experience returning to a community that was so
willing to accept and teach one of its own. “Every part of my experience was rewarding.
Dr. Oberholzer and Dr. Helms were brilliant role models who were full of knowledge,
experience and patience; the nurses and staff treated me like a member of the team; and
the patients at the clinic were so appreciative of everything, although I am the one who
is truly appreciative to them, for helping me to learn.”
“From my own experience, I can say this program has the potential to be a valuable tool
for promoting rural medicine to medical students at an early stage. Over the past few
years there has been a great deal of interest in the program from students and as a result,
it can be difficult to accommodate all students on their first choice of location. That being
said, students can be assured no matter where they end up for their externship, they will
gain valuable experience in medicine and exposure to rural Saskatchewan,” said Smith.
“My experience taught me rural medicine is a challenging, exhausting, emotion-filled
and exhilarating job that is infinitely rewarding in so many ways. The sense of community,
appreciation and belonging that comes with working in a small town is indescribable,”
said Grosenick. n