STUDENTS EXPERIENCE SMALL TOWN LIVING IN MEDICAL SKILLS EVENT
Participants receive tours of medical facilities and attractions in the town of Olds
(OLDS, Alberta – October 17, 2016) Fifty-four students from the University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) participated in a medical skills event in Olds, Alberta during the weekend of October 15 and 16, 2016. The Olds Medical Skills Weekend event was sponsored by the Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP), the Olds Institute and the Olds Hospital and Care Centre. Students training in physiotherapy, respiratory therapy and paramedic-E.M.T. disciplines took part in the challenge which is an opportunity for them to experience the advantages of living and working in a rural Alberta community. There were six skills stations instructed by four local physicians, three RN’s, a physiotherapist and two E.M.T.s.
“The weekend event was seemingly a great success as stated by various students.”, according to Mel Giles, Chair of the Olds Physician Attraction & Retention Committee of the Olds Institute.
RPAP Medical Skills events take place in various rural centres in the province and provide rural Alberta communities the opportunity to showcase local amenities to future healthcare professionals. Participants received tours of medical facilities and attractions in the town of Olds, including the Olds College Campus.
Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP) is an independent, not-for-profit company funded by the Alberta Ministry of Health. Established in 1991 by the Government of Alberta, RPAP supports the ongoing efforts of Alberta’s rural physicians, their families and communities to improve the quality of rural health care.
In cooperation with Alberta Health Services and the Olds physicians, the Olds Physician Attraction & Retention Committee works to attract and retain physicians and their families for the purpose of providing ongoing medical services to all members of the community and surrounding region.
The Olds Institute was formed in 2001 by community leaders who realized they could achieve more together than they could apart. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing their four founding members and includes members of the community at large.
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Credit: Jonathan Koch, Senior Communications and Marketing Consultant, Alberta Rural Physician Action Plan (RPAP)