WILDERNESS MEDICINE ELECTIVE TO EXPAND

Burks Falls, Ontario - Summer 2007
August 13 to 21 marked the third running of Wilderness Medical Associates
Canada's Wilderness Medicine Elective for medical students. A Canadian
developed program originally designed in co-operation with McMaster
University Medical School students. In the past three years this program has become
unique not only to Canada but there is no other program quite like it anywhere in
the world. The elective is a 10-day program specifically devoted to
medicine and patient care in remote and unconventional settings.
Although many medical students that attend this elective have an
interest in rural practice and applications, many were also intrigued by
exposure to education that focuses on practice beyond a tertiary care
centre or clinic and the practical approach that goes along with it; something that
students are almost never exposed to in a medical school setting.
The summer program of 2007 was organized by McMaster Medical School
students and was subsequently filled to its limit of 20 people by those
same students. In past programs, there has usually been space for
additional students from other medical schools but due to unprecedented
interest, the organizing school took all available spots. Because of
increased demand (there was a wait list of over 60 people!), in 2008, two
separate dates with enrolment for 20 students each were offered.
McMaster students will continue to organize the elective held at the end of
August, while University of Ottawa students will organize another date to be
held in early June. Medical students from other schools are also welcome
to apply for any remaining spots though the eventual goal is to have a
representative from each medical school across Canada who can organize
a wilderness medicine interest group and potentially help facilitate an
elective.

The 2007 elective had Dr. David Johnson again fill the role of case study
advisor and elective evaluator. Dugg Steary and Mike Webster also returned
to manage and instruct some of the more practical hands-on components
of the program. Of special note, 2007 marked the introduction of the
Resident Physician Teaching program. Aaron Orkin, who was a student
during the 2005 elective, is now a family medicine resident at the Northern
Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). Aaron taught on the 2007 elective and
provided some fabulous insights and was able to use the experience to
fulfill teaching and education requirements for his residency. Aaron
developed this initiative with the approval of NOSM that will continue to be
a component of all future electives.

This Wilderness Medicine Elective continues to expand across Canada and
beyond – some schools in the UK have expressed interest as well.
Wilderness Medicine Interest Groups have sprung up at different schools
after the elective where none existed previously. The momentum is
building, and former elective students have expanded the concept of
wilderness medicine across Canada including practice, research, and
collaboration. It is exciting to think what is still to come.

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