Background
In 1997 the UBC Faculty of Medicine adopted a new curriculum centered around problem-based learning (PBL) rather than traditional didactic learning. There is a very substantial emphasis on Family Practice (FPC) in this new curriculum. The FPC is a longitudinal course that runs during the first 2 years of a student's medical training and is an integral component of their medical training. For a course outline for years 1 & 2 click here and for years 3 & 4 click here
The Family Practice Continuum (Course)
This course is broken down into 4 components over the first 2 years. In general, the course takes students out of the classroom and into actual clinical settings where they spend one afternoon a week in the office of a community Family Physician. The course provides the students with their first exposure to clinical medicine and introduces them to the doctor-patient relationship as seen through the eyes of the Family Physician. The students (usually in pairs), attend a Family Physician's office one afternoon per week where they are introduced to both the diversity of medical practice, and to the reality of medical care as a continuum of care. They will observe and, at the discretion of the preceptor, participate in various aspects of patient care. We don't have an exhaustive list of objectives for preceptors to cover off - we recognise that the magic occurs when we get teachers and learners together, so we ask that preceptors give their students opportunities to learn medicine at their side and to practice the skills they are learning in the other parts of the curriculum. We also encourage preceptors to allow students to do some focused histories and focused physical exams independently with patients, with the students giving preceptors a summary of their findings for review.
After the first two years, students embark on a 4 week Rural Family Practice Clerkship. In 4th year, the Department of Family Practice offers a variety of family practice rotations across the province.
Faculty & Staff