uOttawa Students Resources
Aboriginal patients, families and communities face many challenges in their lives that affect all aspects of their health, more so than in the general population. Since most communities are rural or remote and have limited health care resources, these electives will certainly demonstrate that the front line care is an essential service in context of the larger health care system. There is also a growing portion of aboriginal populations in urban centres with similar problems.
As a medical student, you will learn to appreciate:
- The poor health status, historical and social context of these communities;
- How culture permeates their daily lives, including all aspects of their health and well-being and empowers their resiliency;
- Effective communication and interaction with aboriginal patients and their families; and,
- Working with a multidisciplinary team and using a wholistic approach are important in giving optimal care to this population.
Elective opportunities:
- Aboriginal Community - Akwesasne - Open to both aboriginal and non aboriginal students
- Aboriginal Community - Kitigan Zibi - Open to both aboriginal and non aboriginal students
- Aboriginal Community - Pikwàkanagàn - Open to both aboriginal and non aboriginal students
- The Impact of Traditional Healing Electives on Indigenous Medical Students and Residents: A Pilot Study (PDF) - Open to aboriginal students ONLY
- Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
| Aboriginal Community | Akwesasne |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Map, 1.5 hr drive southeast of Ottawa, community located in Ontario, Quebec and US. Need car to drive to various clinics. Need photo ID to cross border to American part of community, passport preferable. |
|
Address, Telephone, Fax, Email of Health Centre or Clinic |
Director: Or April White, RN |
|
Health Care Facilities |
|
|
Clerkship (Clinical Rotations)
|
|
|
Pre-clerkship (Observership)
|
|
|
Professional Services |
Family Physician, Nursing, Social Work, Home Care, Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist |
|
Other Services |
|
|
Community Schools |
|
|
Community & Recreational Activities |
Weekly events in 3 districts, Annual Pow-wow every July |
|
Accommodations |
LTC facility has empty beds with bathroom that medical student could stay at, also Shelter for Women & Children |
|
Comments |
|
|
Contact Persons |
April White, RN |
| Aboriginal Community | Kitigan Zibi |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Map, 1.5 hr drive northeast from Ottawa, community located in Quebec. Car preferable. |
|
Address, Telephone, Fax, Email of Health Centre or Clinic |
Robin Decontie |
|
Health Care Facilities |
|
|
Clerkship (Clinical Rotations)
|
|
|
Pre-clerkship ( Observership)
|
|
|
Professional Services |
Family Physician, Nursing, Social Work, Home Care |
|
Other Services |
NNADAP Worker, Child & Youth Worker, Life Skills Coach |
|
Community Schools
|
Daycare (50 spaces), Headstart Program, Preschool Program, Elementary School, Secondary School, Post-secondary Support Program |
|
Cultural Services |
Elder traditional healers: Peter Decontie, Josée Whiteduck, Pauline Decontie, others (medical students can access these elders who support their learning) |
|
Community & Recreational Activities |
Weekly activities such as hand drumming, square dancing, cooking, youth games. Annual Pow-wow every June, National Aboriginal Day event, mid-winter social event, March Break activities |
|
Accommodations |
Billeting in several homes at no or minimal cost, cottage rental for visitors, hotels available nearby in Maniwaki QC |
|
Comments |
|
|
Contact Persons |
Ms. Robin Decontie, Director Ms. Anita Tenasco, Director of Education |
|
Aboriginal Community |
Pikwàkanagàn |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Map, 2.0 hr drive northwest from Ottawa, community located in Ontario. Car preferable. |
|
Address, Telephone, Fax, Email |
Minopimadiz-I Gamik Health Services Community website: Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation |
|
Health Care Facilities |
Health Services Centre |
|
Clerkship (Clinical Rotations)
|
|
|
Pre-clerkship ( Observership)
|
|
|
Professional Services |
HAT & HPT composed of:
|
|
Other Services |
Palliative Cancer Care as needed (includes feasts, healing sessions, sweats, cleansing and fasts) |
|
Community Schools
|
Daycare (50 spaces), Headstart Program, Preschool Program, Elementary School, Secondary School, Post-secondary Support Program |
|
Cultural Services |
Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin |
|
Community & Nearby Activities, Sports Recreation |
Traditional Pow-wow, community celebratory feasts |
|
Accommodations |
Temporary/casual visiting students billeted in Eganville (hotel) and Golden Lake (Golden Sands Hotel/Motel) |
|
Comments |
Mentorship and shadowing have been provided for Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Nursing students and clinical rotations for Bachelor of Social Work students also. |
|
Contact Person |
Maureen Kauffeldt, Manager, |
To learn about the health care practices in rural Canadian communities:
- To develop a better understanding of Canada's multicultural population, including its Indigenous peoples;
- To provide exposure to the practice of Medicine in rural Canadian communities so that students may consider returning after they are licensed;
- To develop technical skills.
Advantages of participating in international electives during medical education include:
- Developing a better understanding of international health;
- Learning about health-care in lower technology societies;
- Becoming involved in a cultural exchange;
- Using the knowledge gained about other cultures in order to develop a better understanding of Canada's multicultural population;
- Developing technical skills;
- Encouraging contemplation of a career in International Health.
NOTE:
If you are planning to do an International Elective (clinical or research) you must keep in mind the time frame required to set up the elective. You must apply a minimum of 2 months in advance to your travel dates.
NOTE: If you are a 4th year student and wish to do an international research elective, you must first complete and submit (to your Liaison Office Year 4) a research elective application form to obtain approval.
-
Step 1: Application Procedure
After finding an international elective, your elective must be pre-approved by the Medical Education Office and the Office of Internationalization. You must be in good standing and your name should not appear on the Academic Concern List. Please see the Policy and Procedures page for definition.
Once your application has been received and verified by the Medical Education Office, it will be forwarded to the Global Health Coordinator at the Office of Internationalization who will be in touch with you to confirm the status your international elective.
International electives must be a minimum of two weeks in duration (70 hours).
The following must be completed:
You are required to provide as much information as possible on where you are planning to do your elective (Country, Title of Elective, Supervisor's Name, Name & Address of Hospital, Dates of Elective, etc.).
-
A risk assessment is required. Visit the Global Affairs Canada website to get information about a country's risk factors, i.e. political instability, infectious diseases, crime, etc. The website provides travel updates regarding health and safety around the world.
- Identify your learning objectives and provide them on your application.
The application form with all required information must be submitted to the Electives Coordinator at the Medical Education Office by email at [email protected] or in person in Room 2046 for approval at least 2 months prior to the start of the elective.
Note
It is expected that 4th year students will be in Canada and continental USA on CaRMS Match Day. That being said, international electives are not permitted during that period. This is to ensure students can be easily contacted and are able to urgently return to Ottawa should the need arise. Our concern lies in the event of an "unmatch" as timelines involved in this process can require less than 24 hours turnaround.
-
Step 2: Planning Your Travel
Once your application has been received and verified by the Medical Education Office, it will be forwarded to the Global Health Coordinator at the Office of Internationalization who will be in touch with you to confirm the status your international elective.
NOTE: Once permission is granted by the Faculty, it is wise to reconfirm with your supervisor.
Before your elective
- Follow all instructions on the Travel Resources page to plan for your elective abroad.
- Complete a mandatory Pre-departure Training (unless otherwise instructed).
It is your responsibility to:
- Have a Valid Passport.
- Obtain a Visa (if applicable).
- Visit a Pre-travel Clinic.
- Have appropriate insurance (health, evacuation and malpractice, if applicable).
After your elective
- Attend a debriefing session (if applicable).
- Submit a summary/reflection based on your experience.
- Register your experience on the Action Global Health website.
- Complete a post-elective survey (emailed to you upon return from your elective).
-
Global Health Program
The Office of Internationalization is responsible for the Global Health Program, which was established to facilitate international/global health activities throughout the faculty. For medical student electives their goal is to try to ensure an educational experience that is enriching and safe for students as well as the host communities.
Desiree Miller-McCaughey ([email protected]), Global Health Program Coordinator
-
Grants and funding opportunities
Please note that there are bursaries available through the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) for electives done in underserviced areas in Ontario, Canada, as well as in developing countries.
Ontario Medical Foundation Electives Bursary Programme Application Form (PDF)
-
Insurance
All registered students are covered during approved electives by the University’s Commercial General Liability insurance with a limit per occurrence in excess of C$5,000,000 inclusive for medical malpractice, bodily injury, personal injury and property damage as described in detail in the policy.