Health and safety is our shared priority – for patients, students, staff and faculty. The College of Medicine will continue to work to ensure that all students progress through the MD program and achieve program objectives with as little disruption as possible, while adhering to public health and University guidelines.
Student Responsibilities
As developing health professionals, medical students are leaders and role models and as such are expected to exercise responsibility in personal and professional lives by following all Public Health COVID-19 related orders. Non-compliance with these health orders may result in a meeting regarding professionalism, with associated documentation, and may affect progress in the program.
Preceptor Responsibilities
We are grateful to our many preceptors around the province for teaching Saskatchewan’s medical students, and for role-modeling professionalism. To support students’ safety, preceptors are expected to follow provincial guidelines for health care providers such as screening of staff and patients, continuous masking, and physical distancing whenever possible. Preceptors are also asked to ensure that current expectations regarding clinical patient interactions (outlined below) are followed.
Clinical Patient Interactions
Pre-Clerkship
- Pre-clerkship students, during clinical learning experiences, will not see any patients or standardized patients who screen positive for COVID-19 symptoms, nor any patients who are probable, suspect, or confirmed positive for COVID-19.
- Patients can be positive for COVID-19 and be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. It is important that you use PPE and frequently wash your hands.
The purpose of this document is to outline protocols to follow related to COVID-19 for University of Saskatchewan medical students in Pre-clerkship. Much or all of this information, including the self-assessment tool is on the Government of Saskatchewan website for COVID-19. In every instance of suspected symptoms or exposure, students should follow the recommendations for engagement in clinical activities, as given by Public Health, via the 811 Healthline.
The Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Manual contains important information about COVID-19 notification, case definitions, symptoms of the disease, transmission, treatment. This manual contains the Public Health Management of Contacts Based on Risk table, which outlines directions for types of contacts and the public health recommendation around it. The Undergraduate Medical Program will use this as a guide for time away from program, based on individualized advice provided by Public Health. The program will also apply the COVID-19 Return to Work Guide for Health Care Workers Decision Chart for student return to clinical experiences.
Clerkship
- Clerks will not participate in the health care to patients who are probable, suspect, or confirmed positive for COVID-19 (with exception of virtual care only, under the supervision of a preceptor) .
- Clerks will participate in the care of patients who screen positive on the basis of symptoms, but do not have any other risk factors for which they would meet the criteria to be probable cases or COVID-19 positive.
- Clerks will not participate in aerosol generating medical procedures (AGMP) on COVID positive or probable patients (e.g. endotracheal intubation, protected code blue, etc.). However, they should expect to be involved in all other care.
- Patients can be positive for COVID-19 and be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. It is important that you use PPE and frequently wash your hands.
The purpose of this document is to outline protocols to follow related to COVID-19 for University of Saskatchewan medical students in Clerkship. Much or all of this information, including the self-assessment tool is on the Government of Saskatchewan website for COVID-19. In every instance of suspected symptoms or exposure, students should follow the recommendations for engagement in clinical activities, as given by Public Health, via the 811 Healthline.
The Saskatchewan Communicable Disease Manual contains important information about COVID-19 notification, case definitions, symptoms of the disease, transmission, treatment. This manual contains the Public Health Management of Contacts Based on Risk table, which outlines directions for types of contacts and the public health recommendation around it. The Undergraduate Medical Program will use this as a guide for time away from program, based on individualized advice provided by Public Health. The program will also apply the COVID-19 Return to Work Guide for Health Care Workers Decision Chart for student return to clinical experiences.
FAQs
When you complete the pre-screening survey, you will likely be advised to not to attend in-person sessions (including pre-clerkship experiences such as ACB lab, Clinical Skills, DSPE, Shadowing, Community Experience, PREP). Please adhere to this regulation and stay home. Please contact the appropriate UGME administrative staff to inform them of the situation, and contact the 811 Healthline for more specific guidance about next steps.
If you were in close proximity to the individual, it would be better to exercise caution and engage in self-monitoring for symptoms and your return to activities would depend on the risk level of proximity and mitigating factors (PPE, etc.). Refer to Risk Classification for Asymptomatic HCWs with Potential Exposure. If you are unsure, please consult your Year Chair and appropriate UGME Admin Staff.
PRE-CLERKSHIP STUDENTS
If you are self-monitoring and you develop viral-like symptoms (as above), then you should stay home, notify the appropriate UGME admin support and Year Chair, and contact the 811 HealthLine. During this time if you are feeling well, you will be able to participate in all learning that does not have in-person interactions.
CLERKSHIP STUDENTS
If you are self-monitoring and you develop viral-like symptoms (as above), then you should stay home, notify the appropriate UGME admin support and Year Chair, and contact the 811 Healthline.
(In-person experiences, including: ACB lab, Clinical Skills, DSPE, Shadowing, Community Experience, PREP)
Please refer to the Medical Student Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazard Policy and follow the COVID-19 Procedure .
- If you need assistance, determining contact risk determined visit the Risk Classification for Asymptomatic HCWs with Potential Exposure. If you need assistance, please reach out to Year Chair and/or UGME office administrator.
- If determined that the risk level is medium or high; immediately leave clinical setting and call 811 Healthline and indicate you are a healthcare worker, and self unless advised otherwise by 811. Follow advice for self-isolation and timeline for possible return to clinical duties. Notification of exposure list (include all below).
If determined that the risk level is low or none; follow the advice for self-monitoring.
- Contact your local Incident Reporting Line to report your incident as a COVID-19 exposure:
Saskatoon Health: 306-655-0820
Rural (Toll-Free): 1-866-966-0820
Prince Albert: 306-765-6452 or 306-765-6497
Regina: Regina General Hospital: 306-766-4689 or 306-766-4431
Wascana Rehabilitation Centre: 306-766-5217
Pasqua Hospital: 306-766-2557 or 306-766-2518
- Complete the University of Saskatchewan Incident Report form Submit to the exposure@usask.ca
- Notification of test results list (include all below) and the recommendations from public health on return to clinical duties. Work with year chair to schedule missed learning opportunities, following the Pre-Clerkship Attendance and Absence Policy.
- Student will be contacted by UGME and appropriate Year Chair to provide support and follow up
- Associate Dean, UGME is informed to ensure ongoing review of exposure incidents
Notification of exposure:
- the UGME office administrator at his or her site
- appropriate Year Chair
- manager of Clinical Learning Resource Centre (CLRC), departmental clerical support staff, and/or supervising physician if appropriate
Notification of test results:
- the UGME office administrator at his or her site
- appropriate Year Chair
- manager of Clinical Learning Resource Centre (CLRC), departmental clerical support staff, and/or supervising physician if appropriate
Contingency plan for missed learning if self-isolation is required:
- If learning cannot take place virtually – apply sick time from the Pre-Clerkship Attendance and Absence Policy.
- If learning can be participated in virtually (e.g. virtual participation in learning sessions)– student may not require rescheduling, depending on whether objectives of the learning experience can be met and whether the learning experience can be replicated or not. Students are reminded that you may not download, print, or store any patient personal health information at home or on home electronic devices for any purpose, including in the course of completing academic work at home.
All plans will be developed by the student with the UGME administrative staff and year chair in consultation with Course/Module Director.
Please refer to the Medical Student Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazard Policy and follow the COVID-19 Procedure.
- If you need assistance, determining contact risk determined visit the Risk Classification for Asymptomatic HCWs with Potential Exposure. If you need assistance, please reach out to Year Chair and/or UGME office administrator.
- If determined that the risk level is medium or high; immediately leave clinical setting and call 811 HealthLine and indicate you are a healthcare worker, and self isolate unless advised otherwise by 811. Follow advice for self-isolation and timeline for possible return to clinical duties. Notification of exposure list (include all below).
If determined that the risk level is low or none; follow the advice for self-monitoring.
- Contact your local Incident Reporting Line to report your incident as a COVID-19 exposure:
Saskatoon Health: 306-655-0820
Rural (Toll-Free): 1-866-966-0820
Prince Albert: 306-765-6452 or 306-765-6497
Regina: Regina General Hospital: 306-766-4689 or 306-766-4431
Wascana Rehabilitation Centre: 306-766-5217
Pasqua Hospital: 306-766-2557 or 306-766-2518
- Complete the University of Saskatchewan Incident Report form Submit to the exposure@usask.ca
- Notification of test results list (include all below) and the recommendations from public health on return to clinical duties. Work with Year Chair to schedule missed learning opportunities, following the Clerkship Attendance and Absence Policy.
- Student will be contacted by UGME and appropriate Year Chair to provide support and follow up
- Associate Dean, UGME is informed to ensure ongoing review of exposure incidents
Notification of exposure:
- the UGME office administrator at his or her site
- the administrative assistant and Rotation Coordinator in the department of his or her current rotation or elective
- hospital switchboard
- his or her preceptor or ward attending
- the residents with whom the student is working
- appropriate Year Chair
Notification of test results:
- the UGME office administrator at his or her site
- the administrative assistant and rotation coordinator in the department of his or her current rotation or elective
- his or her preceptor or ward attending
- the residents with whom the student is working
- appropriate Year Chair
Contingency plan for missed learning if self-isolation is required:
- If learning cannot take place virtually – apply sick time from Clerkship Attendance and Absence Policy. Please note that information related to amount of time that can be missed on a given rotation from the Attendance and Absence policy will apply.
- If learning can be participated in virtually (e.g.. Telehealth; virtual patient visits; virtual participation in learning sessions) – student may not require additional time in rotation depending on whether objectives of rotation can be met. Students are reminded that you may not download, print, or store any patient personal health information at home or on home electronic devices for any purpose, including in the course of completing academic work at home.
All plans will be developed by the student with the UGME administrative staff and year chair in consultation with rotation coordinator.
Program Contacts
List of Year and Site Chairs & Program Director:
| Year 1 Co-Chair | Dr. Matt Kushneriuk and Dr. Jennifer Chlan-Fourney |
Saskatoon | matt.kushneriuk@usask.ca jen.chlan@usask.ca |
| Year 2 Chair | Dr. Jacqueline Kraushaar | Regina | jacqueline.kraushaar@usask.ca |
| Year 2 Site Chair | Dr. Schaana Van de Kamp | Saskatoon | schaana.v@usask.ca |
Please see the list of UGME Pre-Clerkship Administrative Staff to contact at your home site below:
| Site | Name | Course | Year | |
| Sasktoon | Cheryl Pfeifer | Principles & Foundations | Year 1 & 2 | cheryl.pfeifer@usask.ca |
| Sonja MacDonald | Medicine & Society, Clinical Skills, Clinical Integration | Year 1 & 2 | sonja.macdonald@usask.ca | |
| Tamara Hominuk | Success in Medical School I-IV, OSCE | All Years | tamara.hominuke@usask.ca | |
| Regina | Christa Kaytor | All courses | Year 2 | Christa.Kaytor@saskhealthauthority.ca |
List of Year and Site Chairs & Program Director:
| Year 3 Chair | Dr. Schaana Van de Kamp | Saskatoon | schaana.v@usask.ca |
| Year 3 Site Chair | Dr. Joelle McBain | Regina | mcbainjoe@me.com |
| Year 4 Chair | Dr. Joelle McBain | Regina | mcbainjoe@me.com |
| Year 4 Site Chair | Dr. Ashley Selvig | Saskatoon | ashley.selvig@usask.ca |
| Year 5 Chair | Dr. Janna Brusky | Saskatoon | Janna.Brusky@saskhealthauthority.ca |
| SLIC Director | Dr. Tara Lee | Estevan, Meadow Lake, Melfort | tara.lee@usask.ca |
Please see the list of UGME Administrative Staff to contact at your home site below:
| Site | Name | |
| Saskatoon | Carolyn Blushke & Tami Golding | carolyn.blushke@usask.ca tami.golding@usask.ca |
| Regina | Annie Ethier | annie.ethier@saskhealthauthority.ca |
| Prince Albert | Nicole Toutant | nicole.toutant@usask.ca |
| Meadow Lake | Bailey Edelman | bailey.edelman@usask.ca |
| Estevan | Kristin Dupuis | Kristin.Dupuis@saskhealthauthority.ca |
| Melfort | Mabel Ryhorchuk | Mabel.Ryhorchuk@saskhealthauthority.ca |
Departmental and Rotation Clerical Support Staff:
|
Name |
Elective Specialty |
Elective Location |
Category |
|
|
Toutant, Nicole |
Prince Albert |
Department Admin |
||
|
Arnault-Pelletier, Valerie |
Indigenous Health |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Arnault-Pelletier, Valerie |
Indigenous Health |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Arnault-Pelletier, Valerie |
Indigenous Health |
Rural |
Department Admin |
|
|
Toews, Lawrence |
Indigenous Health |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Toews, Lawrence |
Indigenous Health |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Toews, Lawrence |
Indigenous Health |
Rural |
Department Admin |
|
|
Cook, Erin |
Anesthesia |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Gilbert, Kimberley |
Anesthesia |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Humniski, Nick |
Clinical Ultrasound |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Chomyshen, Leah |
Emergency Medicine |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Finch, Ann |
Emergency Medicine |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Lewis, Tracy |
Family Medicine - Urban & Rural |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Fuchs, Kristen |
Family Medicine - Urban & Rural |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Fuchs, Kristen |
Family Medicine - Urban & Rural |
Rural |
Department Admin |
|
|
Lewis, Tracy |
Family Medicine - Urban & Rural |
Rural |
Department Admin |
|
|
Toutant, Nicole |
Family Medicine - Urban & Rural |
Rural |
Department Admin |
|
|
Schnurr, Joe |
Integrative Medicine |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Kuffner, Angela |
Internal Medicine |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Gilbert, Kimberley |
Internal Medicine |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Shivak, Tenille |
Internal Medicine |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Internal Medicine |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Litke, Shanda |
Internal Medicine |
Swift Current |
Department Admin |
|
|
Litke, Shanda |
Internal Medicine |
Yorkton |
Department Admin |
|
|
Litke, Shanda |
Internal Medicine |
North Battleford |
Department Admin |
|
|
Bandivadekar, Prachi |
Medical Imaging |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Faris, Edwina |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Wudrick, Larissa |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Koehncke, Niels |
Occupational Health |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Budz, Lorrisa |
Ophthalmology |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Kurk, Francine |
Ophthalmology |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Ophthalmology |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Lewis, Tracy |
Palliative Care |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Kurk, Francine |
Palliative Care |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Quirion, Deb |
Pathology |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Kurk, Francine |
Pathology |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Pathology |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Groenveld, Nancy |
Pediatrics |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Murray, Tracey |
Pediatrics |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Bhende, Krittka |
Pediatrics |
Swift Current |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Pediatrics |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Otto, Julie |
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Bray, Karen |
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
White, Laura |
Psychiatry |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Litke, Shanda |
Psychiatry |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Psychiatry |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Leis, Anne |
Public Health |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Willms, Amanda |
Public Health |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Lawson, Josh |
Research |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
McBain, Joelle |
Research |
Regina |
Department Admin |
|
|
Mainra, Rahul |
Solid Organ Transplant |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Saskatoon |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
North Battleford |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Lloydminster |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Swift Current |
Department Admin |
|
|
Eisan, Lisa |
Surgery |
Moose Jaw |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Yorkton |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Melfort |
Department Admin |
|
|
Baniak, Marilyn |
Surgery |
Estevan |
Department Admin |
|
|
Kurk, Francine |
Surgery |
Regina |
Department Admin |