Testimonials

“Now I am considering family medicine; where I totally wasn’t before.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“Great opportunity for early stages of medical education.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“I developed a good sense of confidence from my experience.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“I was expecting to have a great time but I loved it!  I did not want to leave after 4 days I would love to do it again!”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“A must for all first year meds.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“I had an amazing time: my preceptors were fantastic, the community was wonderful, and I learned a great deal about myself in these last 4 days.  In fact, my whole conception of medicine and how I want to practice it has been changed.  In seeing how much caring was involved in the “whole-istic” treatment of their patients, I understood how much more rewarding and professionally fulfilling this “type” of medicine was compared to the “rat race” 15 mins-per-patient-here is-a-Rx- style of medicine I was used to. 

Two weeks ago, I would have categorically told you I was headed back to Montreal to practice medicine after I was finished school—I am not so sure that is what I truly want any more.  I think the “Week-in-the-Country” program has really opened my eyes and captured my imagination.  As such, I want to thank you for how hard you all must have worked to organize this event—I truly believe my experience with my preceptor will make me a better, more caring, and more satisfied physician.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“Doctors in small communities are “gods” but I love the lifestyle.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“What impressed me most about the rural experience was how involved the GP’s were in different areas of medicine.  Most of the GP’s spent some time in the ER, or as anesthetists or as surgeon assistants in the OR.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“Now, I have the impression that all family doctors in rural areas have very exciting practices.”
Student from the University of Ottawa Week in the Country 2006

“I enjoyed my week in the country immensely- I think I had such a good time because my preceptor and his family were so welcoming and understanding.  I saw the many benefits of living a “rural lifestyle”- more leisure time, less commuting in a more personal approach.  Also there are a variety of experiences available for rural family physicians beyond office practice, anesthesia, patient health etc.”
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006

“On the whole I have to say that I really enjoyed the week.  I would not have participated if it had not been mandatory, and so I think that making this experience mandatory is a good thing.  Making this a mandatory program forces those who are uninterested in rural practice to have at least a few days of rural experience.” 
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006

“When I first learned that there would be a mandatory rural week in our first year curriculum I was skeptical, to put it mildly.  I grew up in a big city, and I hadn’t the slightest inkling that I might want to work in a rural community.  Nevertheless, I must say that my ERMEP rural week experience was a very positive one; I had an excellent time and I learned a lot.”
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006

“Even if this weren’t a mandatory course at Queen’s, I would recommend it to every medical student who truly wants to understand the full spectrum of medicine.  Until this experience, I was aware of only the obvious differences between medicine in a larger teaching centre and a small community; this past week taught me so much more.” 
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006

“My experience far exceeded any expectation I had prior to the program.  The hosts I stayed with were very welcoming, so much so that I felt a part of their family.  Likewise, the physicians I shadowed were very accommodating, allowing me a great deal of responsibility that would not be possible in the more ‘congested’ halls of the KGH or Hotel Dieu hospital settings (get in line behind the more senior clerks and residents!).  I was granted the opportunity to really see what rural physicians’ lives are like, from the diversity of patients they see, to the variety of roles they must fill, and even to how they fit into the community while not at work.  Overall, my week in the country shed lights on an aspect of medicine that I would otherwise not gain exposure to, and has actually instilled in me an interest in future employment in a rural setting.” 
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006

“Week in the Country was perfectly timed.  Right after the strain of exams, when everyone was feeling low and wondering why they had signed up for medical school in the first place, it reawakened us to the importance of our chosen career.  At first I felt biased because I enjoy family medicine, but then I realized that some people had chosen to follow specialists around for their week as well.  I am impressed at how accommodating ERMEP was to each student.” 
Student from Queens University Week in the Country 2006