Many Canadian physicians have a strong interest in working overseas and with low resource populations, but lack the skills and confidence to do so; the UBC R3 program in Global Health was created to provide physicians with the basic tools needed to provide effective health care services in international health and resource-limited settings. When Canadian physicians choose to work with populations in low and middle income countries, there are many people who benefit. Patients and communities benefit from a shared partnership towards improving quality and access to care, and physicians learn valuable skills when working in resource-limited settings, (such as improved utilization of resources, clinical care of patients with TB, HIV, tropical diseases, cross-cultural medicine & care for refugees, a better understanding of the physician’s role as an advocate and ethical global health research) which translates into improved care for British Columbians.
The curriculum will provide a comprehensive and flexible program, which will allow a resident to tailor his/her experience to individual interests, while ensuring a core body of knowledge and skills are achieved. The program will include 4 months of coursework and clinical training in Canada and a minimum of 2 months clinical work in an international resource-limited community. The international placement can be extended to 3 months.
The new program is divided into four core pillars: Coursework, Clinical work, Scholarly Activity, Advocacy/Knowledge Translation.
Residents will be required to complete mandatory and elective elements within each pillar and maintain a portfolio of activities, which will be reviewed and assessed throughout their enrolment in the R3 program.
For more information please contact the program directors at ubc.globalhealth@ubc.ca
For application details visit the R3 Enhanced Skills admissions page.
To learn more about the UBC Department of Family Medicine Enhanced Skills programs visit the linked page.
Program Directors:
Dr. Videsh Kapoor
Dr. Ali Okhowat