University of Manitoba Department of Family Medicine/Shantou University Medical College Academic Exchange
In 2006, the University of Manitoba Department of Family Medicine and Shantou University Medical College (SUMC) in Shantou, China established a scholarly exchange project as part of existing academic exchange between SUMC and the University of Manitoba. The purpose of the project is share knowledge and expertise in medical education, particularly in areas specific to the discipline of family medicine. It is funded through endowments from the Li Ka Shing Foundation and Husky Energy with additional support from the Department of Family Medicine.
Project activities:
1) SUMC Medical Student Visits
Since 2006, 30 SUMC medical students have participated in annual six to eight week educational exposures at the University of Manitoba.
Their activities have included:
- 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
- Visits to rural and aboriginal communities
- Individualized teaching with family medicine faculty
- Student presentations at the DFM’s International Interest Group night
2) Department of Family Medicine Scholarly Exchange Visits
Since 2007, our Department has directly contributed to educational activities at SUMC through ongoing exchange visits to Shantou. This includes including the annual one month “Team Manitoba” visit, in which seven clinical faculty and six family medicine residents have participated thus far.
Our exchange activities have included:
- Assistance with faculty development and teaching in family medicine training at both the postgraduate and undergraduate levels
- Development and implementation of teaching sessions for SUMC students incorporating small group and problem based learning concepts
- 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 during SUMC faculty exchange visits to the U of M
- Assistance and representation at joint U of M/SUMC symposia and other educational events
- Participation in national China-Canada initiatives in family medicine development and education
- Research activities regarding the impact of elective experiences on students’ career choices and attitudes to patient care
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’s educational and research activities.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Clayton Dyck
Project Coordinator
chdyck@sogh.mb.ca