SRPC agrees to reimburse physicians who are successful in applying for funding for the rural education training program (the “Program”). Physicians engaging in the Program as trainees or preceptors (the “Participants”) do so at their own risk and SRPC has no responsibility or liability for any action or omission of any Participant or the content of the Program, except as otherwise provided under applicable law. All statements or opinions expressed by any Participant or any other third party providing materials for use in the Program, other than any written content explicitly provided by us, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity making those statements or opinions or providing those materials.

You must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Rural physicians must have an active license to practice in Canada.
• Physicians must be SRPC members.
• Physicians must have practiced in a rural community for a minimum of six months in the past year.
• Physicians may be practicing in more than one rural community.
• Physicians will have a demonstrated commitment to rural practice and will be expected to provide services in a rural area after training. Physicians must indicate their intention to return to a rural community for at least six months. 
• Residents are not eligible for funding.
• The maximum funding available to each physician is $35,000.

Program Description

The SRPC mentorship program is a pilot program that started in 2021 and aims to connect medical students to rural physicians and residents from across the country to allow career exploration, guidance and increased understanding of the scope of rural practice.  We have over 65 mentors ready to help support your rural path.

Goals:

• Connecting students to rural physicians across Canada
• Career exploration and guidance
• Increase understanding of the scope of rural practice
• Provide learning opportunities outside of the formal academic environment
• Contribute to the current and growing need of rural physicians in Canada

Your Role As a Mentor

As a mentor with SRPC, medical students will connect with you through the SRPC office manager. Once you are connected, there will be flexibility in how you set up your mentor-mentee relationships, which can be tailored on an individual basis. This may include answering a few quick questions, setting up a longitudinal mentorship plan, or organizing shadowing experiences (public health guidelines permitting).

Expectations in your role as a mentor may include:

• Sharing experiences of rural practice with mentees for the purpose of career exploration and guidance
• Being honest and open regarding the rewards/challenges to rural medicine
• Forming a plan and setting expectations with your mentee regarding frequency of meetings and meeting platform to be used
• Sharing appropriate resources
• Recognizing that advice given, while extremely valuable, does not substitute for MD program-specific mentorship and supports

* By registering as a mentor for this program, you consent to allowing the SRPC to share the information you have provided to mentees that register for the program.  As a mentor, you may contact the SRPC at any time and have your name removed.

** Mentors must be SRPC members to participate in this program.

Mentee

If you are looking for a Rural Mentor. Visit the SRPC Mentor Program page for all the details.

Please ensure your SRPC membership is up to date. Send your email request to Louise for a list of mentors and instructions. (louisea@srpc.ca)

Mentees Must be SRPC members to participate in this program.
(Join here)

Call for Abstracts - Rural & Remote 2024

Rural & Remote 2024 will take place in Edmonton, AB, April 18th - 20th and the Planning Committee is accepting abstracts.

Theme: TBD

The committee is considering abstracts for two types of presentations related to any aspect of health and healthcare in a rural and remote setting:

• Session Lectures (Breakout sessions)
• Hands-on Workshops (Small group learning)

These sessions should focus on clinical skills and knowledge development related to rural practice. Sessions / Workshops will be 60 minutes in duration and should be interactive and engaging.

All abstract submissions will undergo peer review by the Rural & Remote Planning Committee.

Deadline: September 30th, 2023

REGISTER YOUR ABSTRACT ONLINE HERE

April 18 - 20, 2024, at the Edmonton Convention Centre