Western University

Program Highlights

Type of curriculum: Block-based

Curricular outline[1]:

PGY1: 28 wks FM (assigned to family practice); 4 wks each of electives, palliative care, OB/GYN, general surgery, general IM, geriatrics (hospital or LTC subject to availability).

PGY2: 24 wks FM (assigned to family practice); 4 wks each of adult emergency, pediatrics; 20 wks electives/core selectives (up to 12 wks of electives outside Southwestern ON is permissible; 4 wks can OOP over the 2-year program).

Unique features:

Faculty to resident ratio of 1:2. Educational opportunities include emergency medicine, hospital care, palliative care, elderly care, procedural room on-site (x2), house calls are part of regular patient care, mental health care, teaching session every Wed morning and Thu afternoon.[2]

Scholarly activities:

Mandatory resident research or quality improvement project with option to work with a group of residents.[3]

Community Highlights

Recreation:

Komoka Provincial Park, Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum, community center, festivals.[4]

Cultural notes: Serves people from the surrounding villages of Mount Brydges, Delaware, Komoka, Strathroy, and the First Nations communities of Oneida (Onyota'cka), Muncey and Chippewa[2].

Cost of living: 9% lower than the national average.[5]

Resident Testimonial

“Amazing experience so far in my Residency. Lots of independence on FM blocks right from the start. Was managing patients and billing on my own in clinic by July 3rd. Lots of supervision and resources if needed. In a given FM block will also do hospitalist coverage, ER shifts, nursing home, palliative call and OB call. Really great group of residents and staff are very supportive. Home call on FM blocks, 1 in 8. Gen surg and OB rotations are in community hospitals, more hands on experience and can be better tailored to your interests. Call and hours on those blocks definitely lighter than LHSC.”

—Mount Brydges FM resident, R1

1. On average, how much travel is required in this stream? (i.e. are you based on one community, or do you travel based on rotations, teaching, etc.)    

If you live in London, approximately 20-30 min drive to Mt Brydges & approximately 30-40 min drive to Strathroy. The commute is mostly through the countryside and a great opportunity to keep up-to-date on your favourite medical podcasts.

Travel to some out-of-town rotations. In my first year, I had the following out-of-town rotations:

·         1 block in Sarnia (1h15min drive - complementary accommodation provided)

·         1 block in Stratford (50min drive - complementary accommodations offered)

·         1 block in Kitchener-Waterloo (1h15min drive - accommodations offered)

·         1 block in St Thomas Elgin (30 min drive)

·        4 blocks in Mt Brydges/Strathroy (20-40 min drive)

2. What is the breadth/scope of family medicine in this program? Does your program's teaching emphasize particular rural skills (e.g. obstetrics, emergency medicine, mental health, etc.)?

Family medicine experiences are comprehensive. 1 week in OB clinic & on OB call with FM-OB in both PGY1 & PGY2; Approximately 1 shift per week in Strathroy Emergency Department; Opportunity for hospitalist half days for several weeks of FM blocks

3. What do you do for fun in your community?

I live in London and love spending time outside, running/biking/walking on the Thames Valley Parkway. I'm a big fan of the Junction Climbing Gym (great bouldering & top-roping). I horseback ride at one of the stables near Mount Brydges. I frequent many of London's lovely bakeries & cafes, take-out goodies have been (thankfully) available throughout the past year.

4. Do you have the option to travel for electives? If yes, where have you gone? Can you provide some examples?

Electives are available but it is up to each individual student to arrange them on their own. Due to covid, I elected to opt-out of out-of-region electives for the year.

5. What is the scope of practice of other specialties or rotations in this program? Do these specialties have their own residents or only family residents that rotate through?

Non-family medicine core rotations are pretty evenly split between tertiary academic centres in London and community hospitals in the surrounding region. The community hospitals have mostly family medicine residents, while rotations at the tertiary academic centres have their own 5-year program residents.

6. What makes this program unique? What drew you to it?    

The breadth of the family medicine experience is very unique to a program that is so close to a city.

The many community-based non-family core rotations are also great for exposure to bread-and-butter internal medicine/emergency medicine/surgery, etc. The opportunity to have some rotations in academic centres made for exposure to some very interesting cases & the opportunity to learn from experts.

—Dr. Delia Dragomir, R1