INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY PRACTICE ROTATION: SIOUX LOOKOUT
Welcome to Sioux Lookout. We hope that your stay with us will be both educational and enjoyable. This outline will go over the expectations of this rotation as well as give you some basic information that will assist you in your practice here in Sioux Lookout. As well, we have included some information that will hopefully make your extracurricular life in Sioux Lookout more enjoyable as well.
A: LOGISTICS:
We are a group of seven family practitioners, all certified through the College of Family Practice. We each have a varied and interesting practice with much to offer. We are an extremely cohesive group and generally have a working knowledge of each others patients and practice. As a group, we are extremely dedicated to the education of both residents and medical students.
It is because of these factors that your family practice rotation here in Sioux Lookout will be somewhat different than other rotations.
To begin with, although one physician is your identified preceptor, you will be working with several of the practitioners. Each of our practices vary somewhat and has a great deal to offer in terms of education.
It should emphasize that the goal of this rotation is not service but rather education. As such, these physicians will always be available to you so that if you should ever feel overwhelmed or unsure of clinical management you should never hesitate to contact these physicians.
It should be noted that during the summer, office hours are 8:00 a.m till 2:00 p.m. During the winter, some of the physicians continue to work these hours while others work 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m and 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. You will be working the hours of your preceptor.
During your first week with us, you will be expected to set up an educational contracting session with your assigned physician. During this session, educational goals and objectives will be discussed. We will attempt in any way possible to fulfil your educational needs. It is during this initial educational contracting session, that resources and methods of achieving these goals can be discussed.
B) CALL:
You will be expected to do one in three or four calls, including one weekend (Saturday or Sunday) per month. You will generally be doing call with the preceptor that you are assigned to for the month. If for any reason, ( eg. Preceptor or resident vacation, etc.) You are unable to fulfil the one in four minimum calls, you will be expected to have extra calls with any other physician of your choosing. It should be emphasized that on occasion call may not be busy enough to fulfil your educational needs. If this is the case, or, if you feel the need for extra experience, you are encouraged to pick up extra call with any of the other physicians.
C: LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Mandatory learning activities that you will participate in while in Sioux Lookout include Tuesday morning rounds, that begin at 8:00 a.m. It is during these rounds that we discuss all the inpatients. It is during these rounds that you will have an excellent opportunity to present your inpatients and receive advice and feedback from the other physicians.
There are also Wednesday afternoon educational rounds @ 2:00 p.m. These educational rounds will often include problem small based group learning modules as well as other educational opportunities ranging from radiology rounds to presentations from visiting specialists.
It is during these educational rounds that you will be doing your presentations. Please be prepared to present rounds once a month.
The final mandatory learning activity that you will be involved in during your stay here is the teaching of any medical students that may be with us during your stay. You will by no means be responsible for these medical students, however, as educational opportunities arise be expected to teach.
In addition to these learning activities, there are a multitude of other activities that you may wish to avail yourself of. Dr. Kelly has Fracture Clinic once a week, Tuesday and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Meno Ya Win Health Centre, that you are more than welcome to attend. As well, we have many specialists who visit Sioux Lookout (eg. pediatrics, orthopedics, ENT etc.), that you may want to get involved with.
D) EVALUATION:
Evaluation while you are here in Sioux Lookout will be an ongoing process that will be emphasizing both strengths and weaknesses . You will be observed in patient interactions at least once a week by what ever preceptor you are working with. Evaluation will be in the form of both verbal and written feedback. Periodically you will receive feedback in the form of Afield notes@. These Afield notes@ may include anything from evaluation of a particular patient interaction to a generalized evaluation of yourself. You will have a formalized half time as well as end evaluation done by Dr. Kelly. He will be discussing your performances with your various preceptors as well as yourself throughout your time here.
E) CONTINUITY OF CARE:
While you are here in Sioux Lookout, you will be expected to build your own practice and follow these patients on a continuing basis with the back up and assistance of your preceptors. This will entail ongoing office visits, as well as inpatient care. You should be doing rounds on your patients twice a day (generally before and after clinic). You will be expected to follow up on all laboratory as well as x-ray results on any of your patients, again with any assistance from your preceptor as needed.
F) FIRST NATION PATIENTS:
Our practice provides you with a unique opportunity in that we see a large proportion of First Nation patients. The interaction that you will have with these patients will provide you unique opportunities to hone your communication skills with people who have a very different cultural and sociological background from yourself. Your preceptors will be an invaluable source of knowledge and experience in this area . These interactions will hopefully be very rewarding for both yourself and the patient.
G) HOUSING:
You will be staying in a two bedroom apartment that is designated to you by NOMP. On occasion, you may be sharing an apartment with a medical student or another resident who is with us through NOMP. If you are having any difficulties with the accommodation, please don’t hesitate to contact your preceptor or the office manager at the Clinic, who can direct you to the appropriate person.
H) COMMUNITY LIFE:
Sioux Lookout as a community has a great deal of offer you. The recreational activities range in scope from cross country trails to great fishing to some of the most enjoyable hiking trails in Northern Ontario. A car is provided by the Northwestern Ontario Medical Programme. This car can not be taken any further than Dryden because of the insurance limitations. There is an excellent library in town and various video stores. As well, we’ve provided two memberships to the Recreation Centre here in town. This centre provides you with an indoor skating rink, a gym, a weight room as well as an indoor running track.
Again, we hope that your stay in Sioux Lookout will be both educational and enjoyable. Please do not hesitate at anytime to ask any questions of any of us.