Approach
Creating a community of compassion, care and collaboration
The Medical School at SFU will graduate physicians with the skills and commitment to provide team-based, community-level health care in Fraser Health and across B.C., with an emphasis on family practice.
Inclusive pathways for a new generation of community health leaders
SFU’s medical doctor program will incorporate innovative admission pathways that attract medical students with an affinity for community-centred care. A focused selection process for applicants will identify students with diverse perspectives and experiences best-positioned to thrive in primary care settings.
Delivering an innovative curriculum
SFU's Medical School programs will align with CanMEDS frameworks that equip students with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to function as highly competent and ethical physicians. In addition to becoming prepared to practice in primary care, family medicine or specialty/sub-specialty practice, the program will emphasize critical thinking, collaboration with colleagues, culturally safe health care, communication skills, extensive community engagement and self-care as the building blocks for a rewarding and sustainable medical career.
Fraser Health will support clinical preceptors and work alongside SFU to deliver high-quality faculty development and support. Partnering with Fraser Health will enhance our students’ clinical experience, especially in interprofessional care and team-based clinical education.
Integrating medical education in communities
Students’ practice placements will occur within Fraser Health’s community family practice clinics and non-traditional and community-based sites, such as New Canadian clinics, public health clinics and mental health services. Community clinical experiences will extend into the Fraser Health region’s many community and tertiary care hospitals.
Expanding residency training in areas of community need
Initial residency programs will include family medicine and family medicine enhanced skills. They may expand to key areas supporting community-level primary care, such as general internal medicine, paediatrics and psychiatry. We will collaborate closely with the health authorities, our communities and the Ministry of Health as our programs develop to identify and deliver the specializations required to support provincial health needs.
Benefits
Medical education in support of B.C. communities
The medical school will build on SFU's legacy of community-engaged scholarship, research, partnerships and service to deliver medical education and health care that benefits all.
1 Training more primary care physicians in and for communities
The Medical School at SFU will strengthen the supply of primary care physicians required to improve access for British Columbians who count on public health care for the well-being of their families, loved ones and communities.
2 Changing the system for greater equity, access and experience
By expanding admissions for people from diverse backgrounds, we will create a more equitable health workforce that better reflects the province’s diversity, provides culturally safe experiences and delivers better health outcomes for communities in the Fraser Health region and across B.C.
3 Advancing team-based care
The curriculum will focus heavily on interprofessional education in the medical doctor and residency programs’ clinical training, where students, residents and health professionals learn with and from each other in academic learning environments and Fraser Health clinical settings. By advancing team-based care, we can drive an integrated, high-quality, holistic approach to health care service delivery that improves patient outcomes and satisfaction.
4 Transforming B.C.’s health care system
Programs and graduates will contribute to a health workforce that delivers high-quality health care and acts as a catalyst for change in B.C.’s health system. Students will gain skills and knowledge that will prepare them to practice in primary care, family medicine or specialty/sub-specialty practice.
By embedding programs in communities, we can listen and respond to their most serious health challenges, including caring for an aging population, addressing inequities and disparities in health care access and increasing access to in-demand health services.