Accepted Type
Oral
Code
OH2-3-2
Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Additional Information
I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
yes
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Oral
Sub Type
Education Research
Will the presenter be a:
Student
Affiliation
Considered for Poster
yes
Title
Introduction of the National Electives Diversification Policy: A McGill University Case Study
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
At CCME 2018, the 16 Canadian Faculties of Medicine endorsed the creation of a national electives policy. This policy would enforce a maximum of eight weeks in any entry-level discipline, with the goal of diversifying clerkship training and promoting parallel career-planning. Medical students are facing significant concern over the increasing number of unmatched Canadian Medical Graduates. When the national electives policy was first introduced at McGill, student response was subjectively negative. We thus sought to elicit both quantitative and qualitative feedback, with the goal of advocating for the student perspective prior to and throughout policy implementation.
Methods
Two anonymous online surveys were sent to all McGill medical students in September and December of 2018. Narrative feedback was collected in four town hall meetings.
Results
Seventy percent (First survey, N=165) and 66% (Second survey, N=179) of survey respondents voted in favor of the national electives policy. Students expressed support for the following reasons: 1) Uniformity across Canada; 2) The opportunity to pursue multiple career paths; 3) Predicted financial benefits due to perceived decreased travel needs. Students reported concerns regarding the following issues: 1) Potential decreased exposure to clinical supervisors; 2) Uncertainty about residency selection criteria; 3) Concern for country-wide policy enforcement. Students were tentative with regards to implementation of the policy.
Conclusion
Despite the initial negative response, McGill students were predominantly in favor of the national electives policy. Given the shifting Canadian landscape of residency positions, students expressed interest in maintaining collaboration with policy-makers throughout the implementation and review process.
Keyword 1
National electives policy
Keyword 2
Elective diversification
Keyword 3
UGME
Level of Training
Undergraduate
Abstract Themes
Undergraduate
Additional Theme (First choice)
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Authors
Presenter
Alexandra Cohen
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes
