HealthKick - Exploration

What is MedQUEST?

The Schulich School of Medicine, Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network has proposed MedQUEST: strategic collaborative programming to encourage students from Southwestern Ontario, an area with a substantial rural population, to consider careers in rural healthcare. In July 2005, the MedQUEST pilot project in Sarnia received great participant feedback and continuous national media attention.

MedQUEST is a one-week summer program for Grade 10 and 11 students that has local physicians, physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, nurses, medical/nursing students and other professionals working in healthcare delivering a exciting curriculum to regional high school students. It is designed to provide students with realistic experiences in the field of medicine using state-of-the-art advanced simulator training, peer workshops, and the opportunity to watch physicians/nurses in a clinical setting. Over the course of the week students learn to deliver robotic babies, read x-rays, splint and cast fractures, perform simple sutures, give injections and gain an understanding of the training requirements needed to become a physician. Early exposure to the practice of medicine can help influence students’ career plans and ultimately increase the chance of successfully entering medical school. Similarly, these types of exposures can influence students to choose a career in nursing, dentistry, chiropractic, and many other types of healthcare related professions.

Huron County is facing a critical shortage of healthcare professionals. In Southwestern Ontario, certain counties face up to a 40% shortage of family physicians. Studies have shown that medical students from rural/regional backgrounds are more likely to return to practice healthcare in their hometowns. However, students from the major urban centre in Ontario (Greater Toronto Area) apply to medical school almost three times more frequently than their counterparts in smaller regional centres. Huron County need to increase the exposure of our youth to healthcare careers and encourage an increase in applications to medical schools and other healthcare training.

HealthKick is pleased to support this important investment in the future of our healthcare system!

MedQUEST 2012 will be held from July 9 to 13 at the Huron East Health Centre, Seaforth. Twenty four Huron grade 10 and 11 students selected through the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario will attend the 5 day healthcare exploration program.

Three medical students from Schulich will workwith HealthKick and our local Physician Contact, Dr. Carolin Shepherd, to organize and deliver the activities for the 5 day program.

This years MedQUEST program has an exciting line up. Local healthcare providers and professionals will be acting as guest speakers and job shadow hosts for the MedQUEST participants. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and experience a variety of healthcare professions from a rural perspective.

To find out more and apply (Feb 1, 2012) visit the official MedQUEST web site! www.medquestwestern.ca