Physician Rural Externship Program (PREP)

 

 

Physician Rural Externship Program (PREP) Overview

Experience the unique challenges and rewards of rural and remote family medicine in Saskatchewan through the Physician Rural Externship Program (PREP). This immersive program offers University of Saskatchewan (USask) medical students, between their second and third year, an invaluable opportunity to apply clinical knowledge in real-world settings outside of major urban centers like Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert.

PREP allows students to explore medical practices in diverse communities across Saskatchewan, far from the typical clinical environments found in larger cities and their bedroom communities. Participants gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and get a genuine taste of rural practice, helping to prepare them for their upcoming clerkships.

Over the past 13 years, 358 USask medical students have completed placements in 44 rural and remote communities, consistently reporting that the experience exceeded their expectations. The program is praised for its comprehensive approach to skill development and its ability to inspire students to pursue family medicine.

PREP is a collaborative effort between the Saskatchewan Health Authority, saskdocs, the Saskatchewan Medical Association, and the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine. Join us and discover the opportunities that await you in rural Saskatchewan.

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Program Requirements

USask undergraduate medical students between their second and third year of study can apply to participate in PREP. An ideal placement is four weeks with a start date as early as May 20 and an end date as late as the start of the 2024-25 school year (July 12). Consideration will be made to accommodate a shorter timeline (minimum 2 weeks) upon request.

Criminal Record Checks may be required by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Extern’s Function

The externship is valuable experience in a clinical setting. The preceptor permits you, under direct supervision, to do only those procedures that the preceptor believes you to be capable of doing safely. You will have the opportunity to shadow more complicated or advanced procedures.

Salary and Living Allowance

In 2024 externs will be provided:

  • a salary of $500/week (subject to applicable deductions (e.g. EI, CPP, etc.))
  • a cost-of-living allowance of $250/week (non-taxable income, provided by the SMA)

Externs are responsible for finding your own housing/accommodations.

Evaluation

Following completion of the externship, each extern must submit a written evaluation of your experience. The supervising physician will also be required to complete a brief evaluation of their experience. With consent from both parties, evaluations may be shared for future learning experiences.

COVID-19 Information

Clinical Patient Interactions:

  • Medical students are expected to exercise personal and professional responsibility by following all Public Health COVID-19 related orders.
  • Pre-clerkship students, during clinical learning experiences, will not see any patients or standardized patients confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Cancellation:

If circumstances require that PREP be cancelled prior to the start of the externships, no weekly payments will be made.

If circumstances require PREP to be cancelled at any time after the externship has commenced, or the student or supervising physician have begun but cannot complete the program for reasons that are outside of their control (including isolation due to COVID-19), the student and supervising physician will continue to receive their weekly payments.