..ever thought about becoming a doctor?

The field of medicine and the career of a doctor is incredibly diverse and flexible. Few fields offer a wider variety of opportunities.

Every day in communities around the country, doctors work in neighborhood clinics, hospitals, offices, even homeless shelters and schools to care for people in need. Most doctors' professional lives are filled with caring for people and continuously learning more about the human body.

doctors wear many “hats” healer communicator leader team player life long learner educator scientist counselor

choices are unlimited Psychiatry Emergency Family Medicine Obstetrics/Gynecology Urology Cardiology Oncology General Surgery Neurology Radiology Orthopaedics Pathology Respiratory Medicine Anaesthesia Gerontology Internal Medicine Dermatology Opthalmology Community Medicine Genetics Paediatrics Neonatology Immunology Endocrinology Haematology Nephrology the choices are unlimited (read a few names out loud)

there are plenty of rewards Opportunity Action Respect Security Excitement Mobility Flexibility Opportunity: Allows you to help people Action: You are not tied to a desk all the time. Respect: You are an important part of the community Security: being a doctor allows you a good living with a secure future Excitement: The job changes daily it is hardly ever boring Mobility: You are in demand wherever you choose to live Flexibility: Gives you many career options from the same education base

think about it

Could YOU be the right kind of person? IF YOU --- care about other people & their problems enjoy learning new things & solving problems often dig deeper than teachers require enjoy using their hands, eyes and mind to gather information are interested in how the human body functions are intrigued by the ways medicine can be used to improve life are dedicated to self, studies, talents and life as a whole **Add something humorous ** LIKE: enjoy caffeine-waking up stuck to a textbook** YOU COULD BE THE RIGHT KIND OF PERSON TO BE A DOCTOR

you don’t have to be genius to succeed … take it one step at a time Lets take a look at the educational process of becoming a doctor, because if you are already thinking seriously of medicine or even want to keep this an option in the future, you need to start acting NOW! … now what?

use your time wisely volunteer in a health care setting job shadow a physician email a Medical Student develop good study habits manage your time effectively learn about the world around you! Physicians have both demanding and rewarding lifestyles. You should use volunteer opportunities and networking to help you decide whether medicine is a way of life you will be happy with in the long term and to learn about some of the career choices you will have while you are training to become a physician.

finish high school Physics 40S Chemistry 40S Math 40S (Pre-calculus or applied) Biology 40S or 40G (optional – but a wise choice) English 40S or French 40S Your guidance counselors and science teachers can help you find the information on medical careers and medical education. They may be able to link you up with a mentor or find other opportunities for you to meet medical practitioners. Ask them about Discovery Days at the University of Manitoba, a full day of practical workshops and career panel discussions. The Office of Rural and Northern Health (ORNH) has developed a number of programs which may be useful to high school students from rural and northern Manitoba who are interested in rural and northern medical careers, contact information will be available at the end of this presentation.

Post-Secondary Training & Education Bachelor Degree (4 years) Degree in Medicine (4 years) Post-graduate residency training (2 – 6 years, depending on specialty)

go to university know pre-requisites study volunteer, work, get involved with student groups enjoy undergrad don’t get stressed out You'll need a strong foundation in mathematics and the sciences that relate most to medicine: biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics. It is important for your college experience to be broad. Taking courses in the humanities or liberal arts will help you prepare for the "people" side of medicine.

still interested? If you are still interested at this point, don’t stop now, because there is more …

take THE test… Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) The exam is normally taken after university level chemistry – both organic and inorganic, biology and physics MCAT tests four areas of knowledge: Biological Sciences Physical Sciences Verbal Reasoning Writing

apply to med school blow their socks off it’s a challenge – accept it submit application and transcripts if selected for interview - submit essay attend interview - your goal is to sell yourself prepare to make a good sales pitch Positively promote yourself to the admissions department, it is very competitive. blow their socks off

I am sure you have questions. Right now we will go over a few of the most common. There will be plenty of time to ask your specific questions in a moment.

“what is Med School like?” oddly, it’s a lot like high school 4 years pre-clerkship years 1 & 2 classroom clerkship years 3 & 4 clinical (If you have a short example to share do so now)

“hey, this sounds stressful…” True, there is a lot of work, long hours and lots of responsibility, but … There are lots of supportive people. (faculty members & staff, & counseling services) Did we mention that it is also lots of fun! (If you have a short example to share do so now)

(If you have a short example to share do so now) “it’s so far from home” long distance is just $20 a month you weren’t planning on living with your parents forever, were you? email freedom (If you have a short example to share do so now)

you can always come home Come home to the community you were raised in for support, encouragement and employment they want you to succeed

we’re standing right in front of you need living proof? it CAN be done, we’re standing right in front of you SMILE

For more information contact: Manitoba Medical Students’ Rural Interest Group riguofm@gmail.com or MB Healthcare Providers Network Toll-free 1-866-244-ORNH (6764) Phone: 204-622-6210 Fax: 204-622-6211 info@ornh.mb.ca Hand out University of Manitoba You and Medicine brochures to interested students