Sparking Dreams: Secondary students explore the joys of family medicine

Excitement filled the rooms at The University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre on the Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital last month as hundreds of high schoolers tried their hand at delivering babies, casting broken bones, managing emergencies and many other skills in the toolbox of a typical family doctor.

“I loved diving into family medicine and the diverse health care occupations, and learning about their pathways,” raved one student who attended the inaugural Destination: Family Medicine event, spearheaded by the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. “Overall, I am very, very inspired!”

On November 22, secondary students from the region spent the day seeing, touching and trying the many facets of the work of a family physician, inspiring them to explore health care and creating pathways to potential careers in the exciting field of family medicine.

The meaningful dimensions of family medicine

“This massive event celebrates the diverse roles of family physicians,” says Dr. Eric Wooltorton, interim vice-dean of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), as well as family physician and professor of family medicine at the Faculty.

“We want to expose high school students to the special career that is family medicine, and all its meaningful dimensions,” he explains.

Hands-on, bilingual workshops covered dozens of skills and techniques that family physicians rely on in their practice, such as surgical procedures, pediatric mental health, ER skills, women’s health, infections, gender-affirming care, elderly care and dozens of other topics.

Students tailored their day by choosing from a menu of workshops and activities aligning with their interests and aspirations—a unique opportunity to unleash their curiosity and enthusiasm.

“I really enjoyed learning a lot of new things,” said one student, explaining the interactive nature of the medical activities.

Connecting with the community

Helping youth understand the work of a family doctor builds their appreciation for the field and the rewards that come from serving the community. The annual event originated with the intent of helping to fill a gap in the workforce within family medicine, says Dr. Wooltorton.

“In encouraging and exposing youth to potential pathways into family medicine, we’re connecting with the community in a new and supportive way,” he says.

CPD lead event coordinator Kaitlin Moberg collaborated with regional schools and boards to promote the event, resulting in over 250 anglophone and francophone students from grades 10 to 12 participating in the day’s activities. 

The wide range of practical skills were taught by nearly 70 family physicians, resident physicians and fellows, who volunteered their time and took special training to facilitate engaging and interactive sessions. Medical students acted as tour guide group leaders and mentors, taking participants to 26 different skills stations.

“I appreciated the opportunity to have a discussion with family doctors, and to explore the different options in the field,” said another participant via event feedback.

A multi-faceted collaboration

This ambitious program, envisioned by the Office of Continuing Professional Development and largely funded by the Department of Family Medicine, was meticulously developed over several months through collaboration across multiple departments within the Faculty of Medicine. Key contributors included the Office of Social Accountability, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME), and Francophone Affairs, alongside The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the uOttawa Skills and Simulation Centre.

As part of the commitment to social accountability, organizers reserved 71 seats specifically for students who might otherwise have faced barriers to exploring or considering a future in medicine. Identified with the help of school principals and guidance counselors, these students came from diverse backgrounds and communities historically under-represented in medical education.

“We’re reaching and supporting under-represented individuals who may wish to consider medical school but don’t typically have access to exploring the process,” Moberg explains. “This includes supporting access to the event via bursaries to participants who might otherwise experience barriers to attending, such as financial or geographical.”

Dr. Clare Liddy, chair of the Department of Family Medicine, presented the Golden Larynx Awards to session facilitators as selected by students through a popular vote.

Enthusiasm into practice

Post-event feedback from participants hinted at a burgeoning interest in some to enter family medicine.

“I loved the hands-on learning we got to experience,” said one student. “It gives us an idea of what we want to do with ourselves without committing a large quantity of time and money.”

“It’s impossible to love it all, but seriously, I loved it all,” remarked another participant.

The students’ enthusiasm is particularly inspiring given the Faculty of Medicine’s commitment to attracting and retaining learners in the field of family medicine.

“We’re here to support the conversion of that drive into practicing doctors,” says Dr. Wooltorton. “Part of our role as members of the Faculty community is seeking solutions to challenges within primary care.”

The Faculty of Medicine’s careful, cross-disciplinary research brings unique ideas like Destination: Family Medicine to life, in an effort to train well-rounded physicians for community health care, of which family medicine is a cornerstone.

“We’re fostering a continuity of care from cradle to grave that gives the quality of care—and of life—that all Canadians are seeking,” Dr. Wooltorton says.