The Rural Mentorship Program connects first- and second-year medical students with Alberta rural physicians, providing these students with the opportunity to observe and learn skills and to practise simple medical procedures in a rural context. For physicians, this program is an excellent way to promote your practice and community to students considering practice in rural Alberta.
Mentorship experiences involve the participation of the University of Alberta and University of Calgary Faculties of Medicine and RhPAP. The University and RhPAP work in conjunction to organize the experience (community, date/time, and physician) and provide liability coverage and funding.
First- and second-year medical students (i.e., those in their pre-clinical years) are permitted to shadow the preceptor. Hands-on contact is only permitted when the student is under the direct guidance of the preceptor. Students in their clinical years generally have more freedom to meet with patients on their own and are able to be more “hands on.” Nevertheless, these students are also under the supervision of their physician preceptor. Students should confirm the specific functional limitations of this experience with their UGME Office in advance.