So You Think You Can Doctor

Volunteer and work experiences will help you develop important skills in life to “help you adult”, but will also help you become a great doctor someday.

• Create a portfolio of experiences, keep track of what you have done, where you did it, and record the name, phone, and email of a person who can verify that you participated in that activity (see example form below)
• Getting involved in your community through cultural, sport, and/or arts organizations will give you insights into and understanding of the circumstances and health issues of the people you will serve as a doctor in the future. Community engagement is a key feature of the NOSM medical school program
• Volunteer and work experiences are equally valuable
• Take every opportunity you can to take a leadership role so that you can learn how to make good decisions in real life circumstances
  

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  As part of medical school applications you are required to complete an auto-biographical sketch (ABS), where you list activities and experiences you have been involved in since the age of sixteen (16). Below you will find an example of a form you can use to track these activities.

  Example Auto-biographical Sketch (ABS) Tracker Form

Medical School is demanding and so you have to be a top notch student in order to learn and retain all the information you need to care for people as a doctor.

• Form good study skills
• Make use of your teachers and guidance offices to ensure that you are taking advantage of every opportunity your school has to offer you
• Have fun while you study to avoid burn-out – a balanced lifestyle is key to academic success
• When you are deciding what courses to take in high school, choose courses that give you options – be well-rounded in your course selection.
• When choosing a university degree, choose something you are good at AND that you enjoy. Research shows that sutdents perform at a higher level when they are interested and passionate about what they are learning

 

Feed your body, mind, and spirit by:

• Having hobbies and interests outside of academics
• Being active and considering your health so you have the energy you need to do all the things you want to do
• Ensuring that you make time for friends and family – those supports will be key for your future success as a medical student and doctor

 

 

Open to students going into grades 10 and 11 in the fall and who live in Northern Ontario and other rural and remote areas of Canada, CampMed is an annual summer camp hosted by NOSM University in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.

CampMed focuses on four core learning areas: Interprofessional, Leadership, Cultural, and Clinical Skills

Below are examples of some of the activities and skills that campers have the opportunity to experience at CampMed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on CampMed, including dates, deadlines, and application forms visit the CampMed webpage.

As Communicators, physicians form relationships with patients and their families* that facilitate the gathering and sharing of essential information for effective health care.†¹

†Note that the Communicator Role describes the abilities related to a physician-patient encounter. Other communication skills are found elsewhere in the framework, including health care team communication (Collaborator) and academic presentations (Scholar).

¹Neville A, Weston W, Martin D, Samson L, Feldman P, Wallace G, Jamoulle O, François J, Lussier M-T, Dojeiji S. Communicator. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.

As Collaborators, physicians work effectively with other health care professionals to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.¹

¹Richardson D, Calder L, Dean H, Glover Takahashi S, Lebel P, Maniate J, Martin D, Nasmith L, Newton C, Steinert Y. Collaborator. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.

As Leaders, physicians engage with others to contribute to a vision of a high-quality health care system and take responsibility for the delivery of excellent patient care through their activities as clinicians, administrators, scholars, or teachers.¹

¹Dath D, Chan M-K, Anderson G, Burke A, Razack S, Lieff S, Moineau G, Chiu A, Ellison P. Leader. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.

As Health Advocates, physicians contribute their expertise and influence as they work with communities or patient populations to improve health. They work with those they serve to determine and understand needs, speak on behalf of others when required, and support the mobilization of resources to effect change.¹

¹Sherbino J, Bonnycastle D, Côté B, Flynn L, Hunter A, Ince-Cushman D, Konkin J, Oandasan I, Regehr G, Richardson D, Zigby J. Health Advocate. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.

As Scholars, physicians demonstrate a lifelong commitment to excellence in practice through continuous learning and by teaching others, evaluating evidence, and contributing to scholarship through research.¹

¹Richardson D, Oswald A, Chan M-K, Lang ES, Harvey BJ, editors. Scholar. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.

As Professionals, physicians are committed to the health and well-being of individual patients and society through ethical practice, high personal standards of behaviour, accountability to the profession and society, physician-led regulation, and maintenance of personal health.¹

¹Snell L, Flynn L, Pauls M, Kearney R, Warren A, Sternszus R, Cruess R, Cruess S, Hatala R, Dupré M, Bukowskyj M, Edwards S, Cohen J, Chakravarti A, Nickelle L, WRight J. Professional. In: Frank JR, Snell L, Sherbino J, editors. CanMEDS 2015 Physician Competency Framework. Ottawa: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; 2015.