Learning opportunities offered by the Office of Francophone Affairs

The Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) is committed to building the capacity of Francophone and Francophile medical students. To this end, we organize numerous activities in French or bilingual in a variety of fields.

Francophone Curricular Initiative

Francophone Curricular Initiative (FCI) is a new French-language component designed to help the NOSm University meet its strategic commitments and social responsibility mandate. As part of the official curriculum of the Undergraduate Medical Education Program (UME), this new learning pathway will support Francophone students enrolled in the program in improving the knowledge, skills and competencies required to ensure the future delivery of quality health care for Francophones.

As part of the FCI, certain learning modules (CBMs) are part of this French-language programming. As a result, the following sessions are part of the FCI’s mandatory French-language programming:

• Mandatory medical terminology sessions in French

Each session is based on the approved study modules (CBM) in the first and second years. Sessions last two hours each (at least two per module) and include pedagogical, theoretical and interactive learning activities in French. The aim of these sessions is first and foremost to introduce students to medical terminology in French, but above all to practice it in a friendly environment.

• Mandatory clinical skills sessions in French

These clinical simulation sessions enable students to practice the techniques needed to carry out a medical history with standardized patients and facilitating physicians, in French. This is an excellent opportunity to practice your ability to interact with a “patient” in French, and to develop your social and clinical skills, all in a safe and friendly environment.

• Case-based learning (CBL)

These case-based learning sessions (CBL) are presented through a weekly two-hour session in which small groups of students come together.  Student learning in these sessions is supported by a facilitator. The cases are designed to convey humanities-related content.

• Participation in Francophone socio-cultural events

The FrAU invites FCI students to participate in Francophone cultural and social activities available in the community. Connecting with the French-speaking community is an essential element of this component that we work to maintain. From information sessions with high school students, to workshops with Francophone seniors, to networking evenings, the FrAU  provides students with a variety of opportunities for community connection.

Undergraduate medical students

As part of our involvement in the undergraduate medical training program, BAF organizes the following optional activities:

• French as a second language classes

We offer students French as a second language courses to improve their French-language skills. These courses are adapted and offered at different levels: beginner, intermediate or advanced. These French courses are extracurricular, but without any additional work commitments (no homework).

• Medical terminology sessions in French

These clinical simulation sessions enable students to practice the techniques needed to carry out a medical history with standardized patients and facilitating physicians, in French.

This is an excellent opportunity to practice your ability to interact with a “patient” in French, and to develop your social and clinical skills, all in a safe and friendly environment.

• Clinical skills sessions in French

We coordinate clinical practice sessions with simulated patients and physician facilitators to guide the session. With two sessions each in first and second year, this is your opportunity to practice patient interaction skills in French and develop your social and clinical skills with a Francophone patient, all in a safe, friendly, non-assessment environment.

Residents

To support Francophone residents, Dr. Mélanie Patrie, Francophone Health Education Lead, is on hand to provide support, mentoring, hands-on training sessions, academic learning sessions and more.

Residents are invited and encouraged to serve on the NOSM University’s Francophone Reference Group (FRG) to bring the perspective of Francophone and Francophile residents to this committee. The FRG is a permanent committee whose mandate is to advise the President on the development of policies and strategies, the establishment of priorities and the creation of programs that support the development of Francophones at NOSM University and its partners. Similarly, the FRG contributes to the strategic planning, offering advice and recommendations in the implementation of strategies to ensure success in the delivery of services in French.

In addition, once you have completed your residency program, the Office of Francophone Affairs encourages all Francophone residents to apply to become a faculty member at NOSM University in order to become involved in educating the future physicians in the North.

The OFA is always looking to recruit Francophone physicians and healthcare professionals to support the training of undergraduate medical students. Please contact us at affaires.francophones@nosm.ca to find out how you can get involved. We need you!

For further information, please contact us at affaires.francophones@nosm.ca