RADF Investment: $725,007

Other Investment: $145,250

Total Investment: $870,257

Project Period: July 2007–March 2009

T: 780.492.9341
E: [email protected]

Project Description

This project involved third-year Alberta medical students spending at least eight months learning about general and family medical practice in rural communities from doctors already living and working there. Usually, students spend one month in rural communities as part of their medical education. Studies in other jurisdictions with similar programs show that longer exposure time in a rural setting leads to more students choosing to work there after graduation.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:

• Increase number of Alberta-trained medical graduates who practice in Alberta rural communities
• Increase retention rates of existing rural physicians
• Have more graduates choose family medicine or generalist specialties
• Enhance access to medical services in rural Alberta
• Improve quality of life in rural communities
• Establish and strengthen partnerships between the faculties of medicine in Calgary and Edmonton and rural communities
• Address chronic shortage of general and family medicine physicians in Alberta