London, ON. - The shortage of family physicians is growing and now, so is an innovative long-term solution. MedQUEST, a summer camp designed to entice grade 10 and 11 students in southwestern Ontario to pursue a career in the medical field, will be held at six locations this year. Nearly 170 high school students will experience what others only see on TV, things like how to deliver a baby, read X-rays and cast a fracture. They'll get to job shadow health professionals, use cutting-edge teaching simulators, and have medical students for camp counsellors.
Building on the success of last summer's pilot project in Sarnia-Lambton, this year the camp will expand to include sites in St. Thomas-Elgin, Leamington-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Huron-Perth (Seaforth) and South Grey-Bruce (Walkerton/Hanover). Each camp is one week long (July 10-14 or July 17-21) and will accommodate 24 students. Two camps will be held in Sarnia-Lambton.
The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western runs the camp through its SWOMEN (Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network) program. MedQUEST founder and Assistant Dean Rural-Regional, Dr. Tom Lacroix, says communities have bought into the concept, and along with the university, have raised over $100,000 for this initiative to date. "The communities and planning committees are looking forward with great vision." says Lacroix. "They understand the need for long-term strategies to address the dire need for health care professionals who are comfortable working outside the traditional urban academic environment." Statistics show medical students from rural or regional backgrounds are more likely to return to practice in their hometowns, and Lacroix says there's an added benefit. "Programs like this have demonstrated even brief experiences like the one we are offering can improve scores on MCAT exams, one of the common tools used by medical schools in the application process."
MedQUEST is now accepting applications online at www.swomen.ca from students in the targeted counties.
-30-
Dr. Lacroix is available for interviews, along with past camp counsellors to discuss the experience. Photos are also available on request.
Media contact: Kathy Wallis, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, 661-2111 ext. 81136
