This scholarly exchange project was established in 2006 between the Department of Family Medicine, University of Manitoba and Shantou University Medical College (SUMC) in Shantou, China.  It was developed through a preexisting academic relationship between SUMC and the University of Manitoba, and was funded through the Li Ka Shing Foundation with additional support from the Department of Family Medicine.

 Project activities include:

 1) Shantou Student Visits

Since 2006, four fourth year SUMC medical students have been given five to six week educational exposures at the University of Manitoba, including:

•         Clinical exposures at urban family medicine teaching units, rural teaching sites and emergency departments

•         Participation in formal undergraduate and postgraduate teaching sessions in conjunction with family medicine residents and U of M clerkship students

•         Individualized teaching with family medicine faculty and in the U of M’s Clinical Learning and Simulation Facility

•         A presentation by the students at the DFM’s International Interest Group’s night 

2)      Department of Family Medicine Visits

 Each year since 2007, faculty physicians and (as part of an elective rotation in medical education) family medicine residents have participated in annual teaching visits at SUMC, including:

•         Development and implementation of small group teaching sessions for SUMC students incorporating Practice Based Small Group modules produced by the Foundation for Medical Education at McMaster University

•         Development and implementation of faculty development workshops, panel discussions and teaching demonstrations for SUMC clinical faculty in small group and problem based learning, medical English and North American teaching and learning styles

•         Individualized teaching consultations with SUMC clinical faculty

•         Evening lectures to SUMC faculty and students on the Canadian medical system and medical education   

3)      Joint U of M/SUMC Activities

 DFM faculty and residents have played an active role in broader exchange activities, including:

•         Assistance with SUMC faculty exchange visits to the U of M

•         Assistance and representation at joint U of M/SUMC symposia and other educational events

The exchange project demonstrates a model in which relatively small academic departments with limited resources can contribute to medical education and the promotion of family medicine at an international level.  Based on ongoing positive project outcomes, the Department of Family Medicine and SUMC have agreed to continue with gradual expansion of exchange activities.

 For further information, contact:

Dr. Clayton Dyck

Project Coordinator

chdyck@sogh.mb.ca