UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Sylvester, undergraduate education continues to be a major focus. As part of the revised undergraduate curriculum for the Schoool of Medicine, a new fall term course, Approaches in Family Medicine has been introduced for all first-year medical students. At the end of their first year, students consolidate their learning during “Community Week” where they travel to small communities all over the province to learn first-hand about primary care in a rural setting. 

Observerships are offered throughout the year in the After Hours Clinic. There are also opportunities for longer observerships in the day clinic at certain times during the year. Our faculty members continue to contribute to clinical skills and small group learning and also serve on several committees within the undergraduate program. In addition, we actively support our Family Medicine Interest Group as much as possible.    Clerkship in Family Medicine comprises a core 6 week rotation in a small community in Ontario. Rotations are arranged through our partners at the Easter Regional Medical Education Program (ERMEP), the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP), the Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network (SWOMEN) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). 

A few clerks each year travel to the Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory, Ontario on the shores of James Bay. Clerks receive formative and summative feedback from their preceptors and also complete self-study units while on rotation. At the end of their rotation, clerks complete reflections based on their most interesting cases and on the community they visited.  

There are opportunities for observerships and electives within the Queen’s Department of Family Medicine.

Please email our program assistant, Kristie Salsbury for more information or an application.  

Observerships at the Queen’s Department of Family Medicine

We have several opportunities for pre-clerkship observerships in the Spring/Summer of 2012.  We can accommodate only one student per block.  

Please note that applications must be received 3 months before your desired start date. The observership dates for 2012 are as follows:

1. May 21 – June 3, 2012

2. June 4 – June 17, 2012

3. July 23 – August 5, 2012 *FULL*

4. August 6 – August 19, 2012 *FULL*

To apply for an observership placement, please complete this application form and submit it to our Undergraduate Program Assistant.

Please contact the Undergraduate Program Assistant if you are interested in an observership or if you have any questions.

Electives in Kingston  

The Department of Family Medicine at has several opportunities for clerkship elective students starting in the 2011/2012 academic year.  However, we can accommodate only one student per block.  

Please note that applications must be received at least 4 months before your desired start date. Elective dates are as follows:  

Clerkship Electives 2011-2012:
1. Oct 3 - Oct 16, 2011  *FULL*
2. Oct 17 - Oct 30, 2011  *FULL*
3. Oct 31 - Nov 13, 2011  *FULL*
4. Nov 14 - Nov 27, 2011 *FULL*
5. Feb 13 - Feb 26, 2012 *FULL*
6. Feb 20 - Mar 4, 2012
7. Feb 27 - Mar 11, 2012
8. Mar 5 - Mar 18, 2012  *FULL*

Clerkship Electives 2012-2013:

1.       Oct 1 – Oct 12, 2012
2.       Oct 15 – Oct 27, 2012
3.       Oct 30 – Nov 3, 2012
4.       Nov 5 – Nov 16, 2012
5.       Nov 19 – Dec 1, 2012
6.       Feb 12 – Feb 23, 2013
7.       Feb 19 – Mar 2, 2013
8.       Feb 26 – Mar 9, 2013

If you are not a current Queen’s medical student, please visit http://meds.queensu.ca/undergraduate/visiting_medical_electives for more information about applying for a visiting elective.   Please contact the Undergraduate Medical Education Office.

Weeneebayko General Hospital (Moose Factory, Ontario)
A unique rural elective is offered to third and fourth year medical students in the Department of Family Medicine at the Weeneebayko General Hospital. Students are matched to one of ten family physicians on staff at this fully accredited 58 bed teaching hospital servicing the 10,000 predominantly Cree residents living in the six communities along the western shore of James and Hudson Bays. Travel to and from Kingston and accommodation is provided.

The objectives of this elective are 1. To develop understanding of cross-cultural issues in determinants of health. 2. To learn about aboriginal perceptions and priorities of health and about the aboriginal community. 3. To develop cross-cultural communication skills. 4. To learn about the impact of political, social and economic factors on health status. 5. To experience patient care in a remote primary care setting with limited on-site specialty back up.

To arrange a Moose Factory Elective contact the School of Medicine Undergraduate Office.    

Other Ontario Opportunities We also encourage all students interested in Family Medicine electives to contact our provincial partners for opportunities in Family Medicine:
Rural Ontario Medical Program
Eastern Regional Medical Educational Program
Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network
Northern Ontario School of Medicine