We welcome our faculty to share content that will promote specific initiatives that inform and advance family medicine, which could include information and/or links to family medicine-related content:
Please send questions or content for consideration to Roslyn Ahrens: [email protected]
The Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC) serves as a vital hub for residents and nursing students with a focus on marginalized populations, immigrant, refugee and transgender health. Annually, the centre welcomes two longitudinal family practice residents, one in their first year and another in their second year. Over time, the services offered at CCHC have evolved into a pivotal reference point for marginalized communities, extending support to those who face barriers in accessing traditional medical services.
For the past two decades, Dr. Carol Geller, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Alison Eyre, Associate Professor, have played a pioneering role in establishing the centre's refugee health program. The inception of the New Canadian Clinic was a response to the shifting demographics of the geographic area served by CCHC. Dr. Geller notes, "The evolving profile of those in the Shelters has shifted towards predominantly new Canadians including single women and families. Our commitment to their care stems from the guidelines of community health centres, which cater to specific geographic areas." The centre's jurisdiction encompasses the women's shelter and the YMCA, both of which now primarily serve new Canadian families.
Moreover, the centre not only facilitates medical access for high-risk populations but also nurtures leadership among its residents. Dr. Geller emphasizes the importance of succession, enabling the next generation to assume roles in specialty clinics including those who are homeless, marginally housed or refugee claimants, expressing her hope to pass the baton in the coming years. “We are believers of the idea of succession, allowing the future generation to take over in some of the specialty clinics. It is beautiful because I hope to leave this clinic in a couple of years. I leave knowing that expertise is here and will only get bigger.”
Despite its impactful work, the centre faces a pressing challenge: meeting the growing demand with limited resources. Dr. Geller underscores the ongoing need for creative funding solutions to sustain their services. Collaborative efforts with various organizations have helped navigate the surge in refugee claimants, yet resource constraints persist. Dr. Geller invites potential partners to join hands in addressing this critical issue.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, more than 250 high school students from around the region gathered to participate in hands-on experiential learning in one of Canada’s largest Simulation centers, the uOttawa’s Skills and Simulation Centre (uOSSC). The Destination: Family Medicine event was developed to inspire youth interest in Family Medicine and provide opportunities for communities that are underserved and underrepresented in the field of medicine. A total of 89 students were selected to participate through a bursary, which was roughly 1/3 of the total number in attendance. The Department of Family Medicine provided funding to support this important initiative, led by Dr. Eric Wooltorton, Interim Vice-Dean of uOttawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development and an Associate Professor with our department.
More than 70 family physicians, residents and medical students volunteered to share their skills by mentoring and guiding students from grades 9 to 12 through 20 unique learning opportunities at 26 stations. The day’s events detailed a crucial roadmap for high school students interested in a career in our discipline, aiming to inspire the next generation to choose Family Medicine. The students also had the opportunity to select top speakers to win special “Golden Larynx” trophies.
This day-long program was the collaborative effort of five teams, including the Office of Continuing Professional Development (OCPD), the Department of Family Medicine, the uOttawa Skills and Simulation Centre, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education, and Affaires Francophones. There is a specific stream dedicated to francophone students.
Thank you to the numerous faculty members, residents and student volunteers who made this impactful community outreach program possible.
The Pembroke Family Medicine Teaching Unit (PFMTU) is excited share with you some highlights from the past year. Please enjoy this update provided by Dr. Richard Johnson, recently reclassified to the rank of Assistant Professor with our Department in recognition of his educational achievements, a Family Doctor in Pembroke, Site Director of the Pembroke Residence Program, Chief of Family Practice at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, Clinical Lead of the Ottawa Valley OHT and Co-Chair of the Renfrew County and South Algonquin Primary Care Network. He is 10 years into practice having graduated from the Pembroke Residency Program. His passion is maximizing the health of residents in Renfrew County, and he is supported by his wife and 2 lovely kids who attempt to keep him balanced.
Growth to 6 residents per year: We have doubled down on our strategy to maximize the learner pipeline, given the high percentage of unattached patients, and high rate of retention of our graduates to Renfrew County (60%) 5 years out into practice. A further 95% of our graduates have stayed rural upon graduation. We all breathed a sigh of relief when we went fully matched for 6 residents in CaRMS this year.
Expansion: Our growth necessitated physical space. We are wrapping up an expansion to house further staff physicians and learners at our clinic in PRH, tower D.
Remote pilot: In their first and second year, we allow residents that match to our program to choose to spend 3 months in Deep River or Barry’s Bay with an excellent set of preceptors. This program has been tremendously popular: all residents last year chose to participate. After reviewing feedback, including some continuity of care challenges and how to equitably provide learning opportunities, we have decided to modify the program to 2 months per year with the full support of residents, staff and remote sites. We were excited to welcome additional preceptors in both communities: Dr. Michael Sage, Lecturer, in Deep River, and Dr. Steven Chen, Lecturer, in Barry’s Bay.
Indigenous curriculum: Our residents and some staff physicians participated in the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan locally created Indigenous cultural awareness training in February. It was eye opening and sad to hear just how much language and culture this community has lost, and that a community 30 minutes down the road from us continues to be under a boil water advisory. We thank the department for the funding so our residents could participate. We are also piloting some days where our residents work with Derek Frew, NP, who is the main clinician working at the Pikwakanagan FHT. Initial feedback has been very positive from all parties.
Created a gender affirming care clinic: Doniya Quenneville, R2, came into our program with an interest in this population and saw the gap in Renfrew County. With training and relationship building with the Centretown CHC, Doniya and one of our local preceptors, Dr. Sylvie Cantin, Lecturer, were able to start a small clinic. Doniya has just signed to stay on in Deep River when she graduates, which means this care should be more accessible to local patients. She can also help run the curriculum for our learners.
Evaluation fatigue: Our preceptors commented on some redundant resident evaluations and so we are putting the final touches on optimizing this process prior to rolling it out for the new R1s in July.
In 2024, we look forward to completing accreditation, executing on the expansion and trialing out days for our residents to work with the homeless population at the Grind in Pembroke with Dr. Declan Rowan, Lecturer.
