Students participate in early patient contact that emphasizes a patient-centred approach to medicine, during the Clinical Methods in both Year 1 and Year 2. At the end of first year, all medical students participate in Rural & Regional Discovery to gain clinical experience and exposure to rural and regional medicine in a southwestern Ontario community hospital or clinic. This experience enhances the understanding of the communities where patients live.

The weekly timetable often is structured around a case which is introduced at the beginning of each week or subject block. The case provides the stimulus for instruction, and is designed to highlight a number of objectives of the MD program. Throughout the week, the student is exposed to a variety of teaching methods including: small group tutorials, problem based learning, lectures and large group discussions, self-instructional materials, and laboratories. Time is also provided in the curriculum for students to explore career opportunities.

During the third-year Clerkship, the student becomes an active member of clinical care teams in the following medical disciplines: family medicine, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery. Under the supervision of faculty and more senior house staff, clerks are given graded responsibility in the diagnosis, investigation, and management of patients in hospital, clinic, and outpatient settings. All students in third year are also required to complete a community Clinical Clerkship rotation for a minimum of four weeks. For those students with a particular interest in community medicine, a regional clerkship stream is available. Each year a section of students will complete the majority of the clerkship year in some of the SWOMEN locations.

The Southwestern Ontario Medicine Education Network (SWOMEN) includes faculty located in over 45 communities in the region from Tobermory to Leamington. Students learn clinical skills in various geographic sites. The objective is to ensure that Western students at all levels gain an understanding and experience of the practice of Medicine from both a rural/regional and a tertiary care/urban perspective.

Beginning in Year 4, Clinical Science Electives are arranged entirely by the student in any area of medicine, at Schulich or in other centres. After completion of the Clinical Electives, students return to Schulich in January for Integration, Consolidation & Enrichment which includes a menu of advanced level learning opportunities in basic and clinical sciences. This permits students to further integrate the basic and clinical aspects of medicine in light of their clinical experience.

Rural/Regional Medicine Program
Despite rapid advances in medicine and unprecedented health care restructuring, providing accessible high quality rural health care remains a major challenge in Southwestern Ontario, many other parts of Canada, and around the world.

Schulich Undergraduate Medicine integrates rural and community medicine throughout the years of the medical program. At the end of their first year, all medical students participate in Discovery Week which provides an opportunity for clinical experience and exposure to rural and regional medicine in a Southwestern Ontario community. All students in third year are also required to complete a community Clinical Clerkship rotation for a minimum of four weeks outside of London or Windsor. Regional community clerkship rotations help students develop an understanding of non-tertiary care medicine. An in-depth understanding of rural regional medicine can be obtained through the regional clerkship stream. Some fourth-year students also complete two-month electives in a variety of near and distant rural/regional communities.

The rural/regional training track encompasses a variety of optional experiences for students who wish to have a comprehensive community-oriented medical education. In addition to curriculum requirements, students in this training track have opportunities to participate in more rural/regional experiences.

Medical Electives Overseas
Is a special program of study in a third world country, available as a clinical science elective in Year 4. An application form must be completed and a personal interview arranged. Assistance with funding is available for those students who are selected. Because communication and administrative problems may arise, applicants are advised to begin planning for a third world elective two years in advance. For information contact the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education.

Research Opportunities
Two programs are available for medical students to pursue research interests under the supervision of a faculty member. The Summer Research Training Program is available to first- and second-year students who apply during their first year. Under this program students participate in a research project during the summer months. Students may also pursue a research project through the Schulich Research Opportunities Program. During this program students undertake a research project during the summer and/or academic year.