Reaching over 1000 people in the community and university, this newsletter promotes patient and community involvement in health professional education at UBC.
UBC students return from cultural camps with new knowledge
Eight students have returned from a cultural immersion experience with Xyolhemeylh summer camps.
"It never ceases to amaze me how camp can strip away barriers and bind people together." says Dayle Ostapiuk, a first year student in UBC's Northern Medical Program who travelled from Prince George to Chilliwack to take part in the Natural Changes camp for girls.
For four days the students experienced traditional teachings and practices of the Stó:lō people including, Spiritual Baths, Sweat Lodge and Medicine Wheel. "It helped me gain awareness and appreciation for Aboriginal traditions." says David Mo of his experience at the Warrior Camp for boys.
At a blanketing ceremony on the final day, the students were honoured with cedar headbands, made for them by Elder Mary Durocher, and bright orange blankets to signify their transformation.
"The camp really brought home to us the importance of land and community." says 3rd year social work student Sunnie Fang who also attend the girls camp.
Medical students to earn academic credit for learning from patients
During their summer internship at the Division of Health Care Communication (DHCC), medical students, Melissa Ng and Jenny Chu, have developed new patient-led activities for the UBC medical program.
"Patients are experts in their own lives, and have unique views to bring to health professional education. As medical students, we have found ourselves losing sight of this in the midst of lectures and exams. Most opportunities to learn from patients have been voluntary, extracurricular activities." say the interns who are entering 2nd and 3rd year.
The project is connected to a new flexible learning component (FLEX) in the medical school curriculum that will give students opportunities to choose and/or design activities to meet their own learning goals and interests.
The Academy provides programs for health care professionals interested in being appointed to local and national health boards and executives. Candidates range from accomplished medical professionals to administrators.
A focus of the program is to ensure patient voices are actively incorporated into decisions and management of the NHS and to foster a spirit of teamwork among the staff delivering care. Read more...
Seniors' advocates teach medical residents health advocacy
Representatives from local seniors' organizations gave an orientation session to geriatric psychiatry residents at their orientation day on July 3rd.
"The participation of community advocacy groups helped the students get to know who to contact in the future as issues arise." said program director Dr. Martha Donnelly who requested the workshop for the incoming residents.
The workshop is part of a pilot project, funded by the UBC Faculty of Medicine Special Populations Fund, to develop educational resources to teach health advocacy with involvement from patients and community-based organizations.
“Advocacy by health professionals is critical to people who are on the dementia journey. This was a valuable opportunity to support geriatric psychiatry residents to develop advocacy skills and awareness of community resources.” – says Rebecca Morris, Advocacy Analyst for the Alzheimer Society of BC and one of five community facilitators who led the workshop. Read more...
Health Mentor Student Spotlight: Leanna Ng
I chose nursing to simply be with people – not to see the most outrageous surgeries, or to administer the most complicated medications, or even to be praised a hero.
Nursing is a career that allows one to step into a vulnerable stranger’s life and make a difference – whether this is positive or negative is based on your actions.
Knowing that nursing demands such immense responsibility, I was intimidated and that is why I chose to be part of the Health Mentors Program - because I thought this opportunity may help me find my footing.
My mentor, Fran, has a health journey that exhibited how much of a positive impact nurses can create. Fran inspires me to be the best holistic nurse that I can be...Read more of Leanna's story...
Look for the 'Health Mentor Spotlight' to feature a mentor in the next issue!
Division of Health Care Communication
College of Health Disciplines
Woodward Instructional Resources Center
400 - 2194 Health Sciences Mall,
Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
Tel: (604) 822-8002
Email: isdm.dhcc@ubc.ca
I chose nursing to simply be with people – not to see the most outrageous surgeries, or to administer the most complicated medications, or even to be praised a hero.
