Call for Research Abstracts - Rural & Remote 2025

Date: April 24th - 26th, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Theme: Where the Rivers Meet: Building Bridges in Rural Medicine for a Brighter Future

The 32nd Annual Rural & Remote Medicine Course Planning Committee is currently accepting two types of research abstracts related to any aspect of health and healthcare in a rural and remote setting.

• Research Oral Presentation
• Research Poster Presentation

All research abstract submissions will undergo peer review by the Planning Committee and SRPC Research Committee.

Deadlines:   

Research Oral Presentation – November 30th, 2024
Research Poster Presentation – December 31st, 2024

Submissions must include a clear research purpose, objective, methodology, summary of the research results, and conclusion.

SUBMIT  YOUR ABSTRACT ONLINE HERE

Additional Information

Research Oral Presentation: Share information or results from a proposed, ongoing, or completed research project. Oral presentations will include 10 minutes to present and 5 minutes for Q&A.

Research Poster Presentation: Share information or results from a proposed, ongoing, or completed research project. Posters will be on display for all three days and there will be a dedicated time for attendees to view the posters.

Call for Abstracts - Rural & Remote 2025

Rural & Remote 2025 will take place in Winnipeg, MB, April 24-26, 2025 and the Planning Committee is accepting abstracts.

Our theme this year will be "Where the Rivers Meet: Building Bridges in Rural Medicine for a Brighter Future"

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. (The schedule is built in 60-minute time slots, 2-hour sessions are welcome.)

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

Deadline: September 30th, 2024

REGISTER YOUR ABSTRACT ONLINE HERE

We are pleased to announce the First Annual Mini Rural & Remote (R&R) Conference!

This condensed version of our main event allows us to bring the conference experience to more rural and remote areas across the country.

Act Fast! Limited Spots Available!

Don't miss your chance to secure your place at the First Annual Mini Rural & Remote Conference—register now before it's too late!

Event Schedule:

• Friday, November 29: Registration and afternoon sessions starting at 11 AM.
• Saturday, November 30: A full day of breakout sessions and an optional evening social.
• Saturday, November 30th: Student Resident Mixer.
• Sunday, December 1: The program concludes by 12:30 PM.

What You Can Expect:

• Tailored Content: Specialized sessions focused on rural and remote medicine.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals committed to improving healthcare.
• Community Building: Join a vibrant community of healthcare providers dedicated to rural practice.

Register Now!

Limited Spots Available! They're filling up fast, so don't wait! Secure your place today.

Exhibitors Welcome

This event offers a unique opportunity to engage and network with rural physicians, residents, and medical students in a more intimate setting.

Why Exhibit:

• Networking: Build valuable relationships with potential clients, partners, and collaborators.
• Brand Visibility: Increase your brand's visibility among key stakeholders and demonstrate your commitment to rural healthcare.

Register now to secure your booth – spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Help Us Spread the Word!

Share this with your networks and visit our conference website for more details and updates.

We can’t wait to see you in Charlottetown!

Find all the information and up-to-date news on our conference webpage. 

*** Booth Space is SOLD OUT ***

Full details regarding exhibit booths and sponsorship are available in the conference prospectus. 

Visit the Mini RR2024 website for all the event details.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen - kristenk@srpc.ca or 819-647-7054.

Please note:

• All prices are in Canadian dollars and inclusive of HST.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All event cancellations must be made in writing by email to Jenna Keindel, Administrative Officer, at jennak@srpc.ca.

45 Days or More

· Full Refund if cancellation notice is given 45 days or more prior to the event, a full refund will be granted, minus a $75 administrative fee.

44 Days or Fewer - Credit Issued

· No refunds will be issued for cancellations with 44 days or fewer notice. The total amount (less the $75 administrative fee) will be left as a credit on your account, which can be used for future invoices (e.g., events, membership, or donations).

Deposits

· Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to SRPC membership or donated.

Social Tickets

· Social tickets are non-refundable but can be gifted to a student or resident.

Pending Registrations

· Pending registrations are considered as "planning to attend" or "paying later." Please notify us as soon as possible if your plans change. If you are no longer able to attend, we will cancel your registration.

No-Show Policy

· No refunds or credits will be provided for no-shows, and all outstanding invoices must be paid in full.

Force Majeure Clause

· In the event the conference is canceled or postponed due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g., weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies), registration fees will either be fully refunded or applied as a credit for a future event.

Registrations

· Registrations are non-transferable.

Dr. Fil Gilic & Dr. Wilson Lam, bring us " I'm Shocked, I Tell You: A Common Sense Approach to Shock " for the next Rural Reach Webinar.

Please note, this is not an accredited event.

Free for SRPC Members / $50 for General Admission

Date: Thursday, Dec 12, 2024 
Time: 8:00 PM (Eastern Time)
[click to convert to your local time]
Location: Zoom - The link will be in the confirmation email

Can't make it live? No worries! The session will be recorded and shared with registered attendees. 

Description:

Shock is a common and serious presentation facing rural physicians. In this session, we will cover the underlying pathophysiology of shock, the different causes of it, the markers and clinical prediction tools that help identify severe cases; as well as medications and fluids for resolving it via various modes of administration. 

Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Identify causes of shock.
2. Use clinical prediction tools and physiological markers of severity.
3. Use vasopressive medications as well as blood/large volume IV fluids in a evidence-based fashion.

Presenter:

Dr. Fil Gilic - Full time rural EM physician, Kingston area
Simulation Educator, Queen's University. Founder of RuralResus.com rural medical education website and courses. After a stint in the Canadian Forces as a paratrooper, he tried to bike, sail, paddle and hike every type of environment he could find. He wandered the country as an itinerant ER doc until settling back to Kingston where he did his residency. He works in small towns around it while teaching across the nation. He tries to spend as much time in the outdoors with his two boys as he can muster.

Dr. Wilson Lam: Dr. Lam is an emergency physician and medical educator. He completed his CCFP-EM training at Queen's and Ottawa, with fellowship training in Simulation. He has designed award-winning curricula for national audiences and is Program Director of The Ottawa Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine Off-Service Resident Education. His academic focus is in airway management and simulation-based education, with a particular focus upon delivery of education to rural and remote regions across Canada.

Are you interested in becoming a rural family doctor? Are you overwhelmed by the number of possible training sites for Family Medicine in rural and remote parts of Canada? Are you struggling to connect with representatives from different schools?

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the unique and rewarding path of rural residency and discover how it can shape your medical career.

All interested medical Students and Residents are invited!

Date: Sunday, Jan 12th, 2025
Time: 12-2 pm (Eastern)
[click to convert to your local time]
Duration: Approximately 2h but drop-in basis

(residents are invited to join the zoom meeting 15 minutes early)
(Students Please join us on the hour)

The Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC) Residency Committee invites you to an online virtual Family Medicine residency tour on Sunday, January 12th, from 12 to 2 pm EST. Meet residents training rurally from coast to coast to coast and ask all the questions you need to help pick your residency site.

This event is designed to help graduating medical students make their ranking lists, but it is great information for trainees at any stage who would like to join.

We are also compiling a list of residents at these rural sites that have agreed to have their emails shared with prospective students if they have any questions which will be distributed to attendees.

Call for Resident Volunteers

Sign Up to Be a Resident Rep on This Virtual Residency Tour

If you have any questions please reach out to: Dr. Isabel Anderson, PGY2 Family Medicine, NOSM - srpc.medoutreach@gmail.com

RURAL SURGICAL SKILLS CONFERENCE

Rimrock Hotel in Banff, AB

January 22-24, 2025

The Rural Surgical Skills Conference is a premier networking and hands-on skills event hosted every two years in Banff. This event brings together healthcare professionals from across Canada to enhance their surgical skills, stay updated on the latest advancements in the field, and foster connections within the rural medical community.

Event Schedule:

• Wednesday, January 22nd: Registration and Meet & Greet starting at 5pm.
• Thursday, January 23rd: A full day of hands on training and didactic sessions.
• Friday, January 24th: The program concludes by 11am.

Bring Your OR Nurse

Rural OR nurses are invited to fully participate in this program.

With the support of our sponsors RhPAP and RCCbc, the SRPC is able to reduce registration to $50 for all OR nurses and to offer a $500 bursary for a limited number of OR nurses who register.

Exhibitors are welcome:

Read our Prospectus Here

Thank you for the support from our 2025 Exhibitors! 

FLIGHTS

AIR CANADA

Book online at aircanada.com

Enter your promotion code R2EQ9R91

Applicable Rules

• The booking is to be made to the following city: Calgary, YYC (CA)
• The travel period begins Wednesday, January 15, 2025 and ends Friday, January 31, 2025.
• Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
• For North America' 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel' 10% on standard fares & higher.

PORTER AIRLINES

Book online at www.flyporter.com

Enter your promotion code RSSU25

Applicable Rules

• From: All Markets To: Calgary (YYC) From: 19Jan25 To: 23Jan25

• From: Calgary (YYC) To: All Markets From: 23Jan25 To: 27Jan25

HOTEL

Rimrock Details - Individual Reservations
Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations, and should identify themselves as being with your group, SRPC, for ease of booking. Attendees may book their own reservations by calling our Reservations Department at 1-888-746-7625 (1-888-RIMROCK), or with an online PassKey booking link. Individuals must guarantee their reservations by use of a major credit card. 30 days prior to program arrival (December 23, 2024)

SHUTTLE

Our official transportation partner for this event is Banff Airporter - Banff's original airport shuttle provider. Receive a 15% discount on their daily shuttle service between the Calgary Airport and Banff. Click Banff Airporter and then Book Now. Proceed through the reservation and type - SRPC25 - in the "Promo Code" section on the final payment page to receive the discount. This special rate is valid for travel dates between January 19 - 27, 2025 if reservation is made at least 1 week prior to the event start. We hope you take advantage of this special offer!

While you are in Banff, also consider attending the Endoscopy Skills Conference, Jan. 24th – 26th!  

Registration fees include 5% tax.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All event cancellations must be made in writing by email to Jenna Keindel, Administrative Officer, at jennak@srpc.ca.

45 Days or More

· Full Refund if cancellation notice is given 45 days or more prior to the event, a full refund will be granted, minus a $75 administrative fee.

44 Days or Fewer - Credit Issued

· No refunds will be issued for cancellations with 44 days or fewer notice. The total amount (less the $75 administrative fee) will be left as a credit on your account, which can be used for future invoices (e.g., events, membership, or donations).

Deposits

· Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to SRPC membership or donated.

Social Tickets

· Social tickets are non-refundable but can be gifted to a student or resident.

Pending Registrations

· Pending registrations are considered as "planning to attend" or "paying later." Please notify us as soon as possible if your plans change. If you are no longer able to attend, we will cancel your registration.

No-Show Policy

· No refunds or credits will be provided for no-shows, and all outstanding invoices must be paid in full.

Force Majeure Clause

· In the event the conference is cancelled or postponed due to circumstances beyond our control (e.g., weather, natural disasters, public health emergencies), registration fees will either be fully refunded or applied as a credit for a future event.

Registrations

· Registrations are non-transferable.

Dr. Menaka Pai and Dr. Kate Miller bring us "Lab Tests We Regret: When Less is More" for the next Rural Reach Webinar.

Please note, this is not an accredited event.

Free for SRPC Members / $50 for General Admission

Date: Thursday, January 23rd 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
[click to convert to your local time]
Location: Zoom - The link will be in the confirmation email

Can't make it live? No worries! The session will be recorded and shared with registered attendees. 

Description:

answers and instead of the reassurance we sought, we have a cascade of follow-up labs we also regret ordering.  We'll briefly explore why we keep ordering tests only to regret it again and again before tackling the 3 tests the presenters regret the most: D-Dimer, ANA and SPEP. By helping you better understanding the value and limits of these tests as well as the right time and place for them, we will help reduce PLRS - Post Lab Remorse Syndrome.

Objectives:

• Describe the factors that result in us ordering tests of low value with high frequency.
• Review the use (and misuse) of three commonly ordered assays: Serum protein electrophoresis (aka. The Rabbit Hole),  Antinuclear antibody (aka. The Rheumatologist’s Recurring Nightmare) and D-dimer (aka. The Blood Pressure Modifier).
• Want a tattoo that reads “treat the patient, not the numbers".
  
  

Presenter:

Dr. Menaka Pai is a Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, and a hematologist and laboratory medicine physician in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. She is Hematology Lead for the Ontario Laboratory Medicine Program. She is passionate about gender issues in hematology, quality improvement, knowledge translation, clinical practice guideline development, travel, salt and vinegar potato chips, and reading retro children's fiction to her two little boys (currently: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing).

Dr. Kate Miller is a generalist family physician whose 25 year career has encompassed all aspects of family medicine including emergency medicine and intrapartum care.  Now an UDRW (urban doctor with a rural heart), she lives and works in Guelph although she continues to find opportunities to work in rural communities to satisfy her soul.  She is a passionate teacher of family medicine currently as Assistant Professor at McMaster University.  In her precious off hours, Dr. Miller loves to hike, camp and travel and is trying to adjust to her newly empty nest.  She is a confirmed and unapologetic cat person. 

Full details regarding exhibit booths and sponsorship are available in the conference prospectus.

Visit the RR2025 website for all the event details.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen - kristenk@srpc.ca or 819-647-7054. 

• Full payment is due 30 days after receipt of your registration form. All payments must be made in full by March 1, 2025

• Bookings will be released for resale if full payment is not received within 30 days of submitting the application.

• We will review your Registration/Invoice, (apply your deposit/discount if applicable) and send you the final invoice.

• Deposits are non refundable.

Early Bird Registration Is Open!

Register by November 30th, and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw for a three-night stay at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg.

Lock in the early bird rate before prices increase on December 1st.

Join us in Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 24-26, 2025, at the RBC Convention Centre.

Our theme this year is "Where the Rivers Meet: Building Bridges in Rural Medicine for a Brighter Future"

Find booking links, hotel room blocks, travel discounts, and all essential details on the Rural and Remote Medicine Conference website: ruralandremoteconference.ca

Your registration includes hot breakfast and lunch buffets, plus refreshment breaks to keep you fueled all day.

Thursday, April 24; Friday, April 25; and Saturday, April 26—features breakout sessions and workshops from 8 AM to 5 PM with optional evening socials each night.

Registration Options for Non-Medical Partners

Are you interested in presenting at R&R?
Please send us your abstracts for break-out sessions and hands-on workshops now! Submit an abstract: https://srpc.ca/event-5709385

Are you a Researcher?
We are also accepting submissions for Research Oral Presentations and Research Poster Presentation Abstracts. Find details here.

Are you looking to secure a booth in the exhibit hall? We have space for you. Come and Discover a World of Opportunities as an Exhibitor.

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 Kristen for a list of mentors and instructions. (kristenk@srpc.ca)

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