Research Grants and Awards available:
University of Manitoba Faculty Development Grants:
The Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) at the University of Manitoba currently delivers a wide range of CME programs designed to address current issues relevant to the needs of both urban and rural family physicians and general practitioners throughout Manitoba. Rural specialist physicians in Manitoba have very specific requirements for CME and at present, we are unaware of how and where these physicians acquire their CME. Specialist physicians practicing in rural Manitoba will therefore be surveyed to seek feedback regarding their specific CME requirements. The data gathered through this process will be used to design CME programs dedicated to this specialist physician group.
Preparing Residents for Lifelong Learning - Rhodes C, Hamilton J, Ford M, Fleisher W, *Francois J
The Office of Continuing Medical Education has developed a lifelong learning curriculum for resident level programs to teach residents the skills for lifelong learning. To assess the perceived impact of the curriculum, a comparative research study is being conducted to reveal the attitudes and abilities of residents who follow the lifelong learning curriculum. For a generational perspective, established physicians will also be surveyed to determine if experience in clinical practice influences attitudes towards lifelong learning. This study will form part of a longitudinal program evaluation study to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum for ongoing program improvement.
Evaluating Residents Teaching Skills - Rhodes C, Fleisher W, Francois J, *Hamilton J
Teaching is an integral role of the practicing physician. To train future physicians in this skill, the faculty development office at the University of Manitoba has developed two, one-day workshop programs for resident teaching skills training which will be incorporated into years one and two of each residency program offered by the University of Manitoba. This study will examine the effectiveness of the new teaching skills program by assessing the perceived preparedness of residents to teach compared with resident performance outcomes on standard teaching evaluations.
A Curriculum Needs Assessment of the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Manitoba – *Hamilton J, Renaud R
The College of Family Physicians of Canada, responsible for accreditation of residency programs, prescribes ‘The Four Principles of Family Medicine’ and the 27 competencies derived from them, as the curricular framework for Canadian family medicine residencies. The literature reveals little about the development of the Four Principles of Family Medicine. This study was conducted to determine the degree to which each competency was considered relevant to clinical practice and learned by recent graduates of the University of Manitoba Family Medicine program. For the 27 competencies, the ratings of graduates were similar to those of family medicine experts as the competencies were generally viewed as moderately important and frequently used; graduates reported being well-learned in most of the competencies. This supports the use of the Four Principles of Family Medicine as a curricular framework for family physician trainees in Canada.
Physician Assistant Education Program - Hamilton J, Toews I, Chan M, Fleisher W, *Rhodes C
The University of Manitoba delivers a 26-month Physician Assistant Education Program (PAEP). The PAEP aims to produce generalist physician assistants who may go on to work in primary or subspecialty care (following further training). The first class of PAEP learners entered the program in August 2008. We are conducting a concurrent program evaluation study using a mixed methods approach (online survey, interviews and focus groups) designed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the new program. Data gathered in this process will offer focus for continual program improvement.
Learning from IMGs: IMG Perceptions Regarding Unique Strengths and Areas of Expertise - Hamilton J, Fleisher W, Li X-M, *Rhodes C
In 1997, international medical graduates (IMGs) made up close to 33.8% of practicing physicians in Manitoba. Within postgraduate training programmes at the University of Manitoba, their numbers have significantly increased over the past 10 years, reaching close to 35% of the incoming resident class in 2008. As such, IMGs contribute substantially to the health and well-being of Manitobans. This research study aims to explore IMGs' perceptions regarding the unique strengths and areas of expertise they bring to the Canadian and in particular Manitoban health care systems.
Evaluating an Orientation programme for International Medical Graduates - Rhodes C, Fleisher W, *Hamilton J
The University of Manitoba has traditionally attracted international medical graduates (IMGs) to its postgraduate training programs. Nationally, the performance of IMGs on certification and ‘board exams’ has reportedly been poorer than Canadian medical graduates. A number of sources have suggested that an orientation program for IMGs entering training programs may assist with trainee performance. This study is therefore designed to evaluate a new one-month orientation program for IMGs at the University of Manitoba to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the program with respect to the overall performance outcomes of IMGs.