Date Published | Dec. 15, 2008

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) has created a unique model of medical education that seeks to address the specific health-care needs of all Northerners. One cornerstone is our community-engaged distributed model of medical education. Another is the commitment the School has made to continuing professional education for faculty, physician teachers in the communities, health professionals and the general public. Inter-professional education is premised on the notion that education spans the entire life cycle of health professionals practicing in Northern Ontario.

NOSM engages with communities and health practitioners in order to develop and deliver education initiatives with a pan-Northern perspective, one which serves the diverse needs of medical practitioners and educators, and promotes healthy living programs.

The recent publication of the 2008-2009 Continuing Education and Professional Development Calendar encompasses a diversity of presentations, workshops, seminars, and symposia, all moderated by experts in their respective fields and designed to enhance clinical skills, improve teacher training and broaden understanding of health issues. The diversity of listed topics reflects the range of health determinants in Northern Ontario that require attention.

The School also partners with community organizations in hosting conferences on health matters critical to Northerners. Recently, NOSM collaborated with the Northeastern Ontario Stroke Network in hosting its annual conference. A multi-disciplinary group of health professionals explored the latest developments in stroke research, management and rehabilitation. The School also hosted this year’s Annual Retreat for the Ontario Psychiatric Outreach Program (OPOP) at which mental health experts discussed mental health services, support, and education for remote and rural communities with populations to which NOSM is mandated to be accountable.

In keeping with its social accountability mandate of engaging communities in the School’s development, this year’s Continuing Education and Professional Development Calendar represents the effort of over 11 planning groups that worked collaboratively with NOSM Continuing Education Professional Development staff. A combination of feedback and an open request for topics and speakers were important additions to the success of the continuing education and professional development itinerary. Wide-ranging participation ensured that the program would reflect the needs of faculty members and community-based health professionals in their various capacities as teachers, health-care providers, and administrators.

New features in this year’s calendar include more professional development courses and events which are delivered live, via video-conference and accessed through the School’s website (nosm.ca). Regular online updates will be made to the calendar as changes arise.

This year’s breadth of programming builds on previous efforts to address the North’s cultural diversity and specific health challenges. Examples of additions to the calendar include:

•Fourth year NOSM medical student, Jeremie Larouche, will discuss the results of his research addressing the primary health-care issues of Franco-Ontarians in Thunder Bay.

•NOSM’s Dr. Anne Robinson will discuss how practitioners can make best use of an interpreter to overcome language barriers, and explore techniques to improve communication and enhance the therapeutic relationship when an interpreter is required.

•As part of a series on Aboriginal Activities, social worker Cristine Rego will facilitate a session that explores the interface between traditional understandings and Western medicine.

Progressive programming in all areas of education are developed in accordance with NOSM’s key academic principles, which guide the School’s academic programs.
Collectively, these embrace the participation of stakeholders, the pursuit of common goals, the creation of meaningful partnerships, the distribution of educational resources, the acknowledgement of cultural diversity, and an approach that regards health care and education as a continuum.

These values will continue to guide NOSM in its efforts to deliver an integrated and comprehensive professional development and education program relevant to the health-care needs of all Northerners.