The gifts of learning in a rural medicine setting are plentiful and rewarding. As a pre-clerkship one-month placement facilitated through ROMP as a NOSM learner in Owen Sound, I had my hands busy, mind full, and heart proud. I was granted opportunities to learn in various settings including family medicine, obstetrics, emergency medicine, and palliative care. I was typically the only learner alongside the preceptor – no long chain of command or “fighting” to perform a procedure (such as stitches, for example). As the primary learner in most settings, I feel like I was fully immersed in a learning environment and confident in my advancement in my medical training, which most of you know is often challenging and overwhelming. Outside of academia, this rural are offered many opportunities for community involvement and events such as farmer’s markets, local fundraisers, and a Saturday morning run club. Notably, it is important for me to have access to running and hiking trails, a view of the water (fortunately here it is the beautiful Georgian Bay!), and parks to wander with friends. It was easy to balance medical training and my personal life during my placement here because of the sense of community that is bonded together through the love of water, outdoors, and community engagement.

Anonymous

NOSM Learner