The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) held its third, successful annual Comprehensive Community Clerkship (CCC) Retreat in Parry Sound on January 14 - 16, 2010. The event was attended by NOSM faculty and staff, medical students, Site Liaison Clinicians, Site Administrative Coordinators, and Local NOSM Group (LNG) members from clerkship communities across Northern Ontario.

All third-year medical students at NOSM complete clerkships in medium-sized Northern communities learning practice-based medicine under the guidance and support of physician teachers and health professionals. The clerkship is a key component of NOSM’s unique M.D. program.

The theme of this year’s retreat was disaster management. Don Brisbane of Parry Sound, an authority on the subject of disaster management, began the three-day event with a presentation, discussion, and interactive exercise that introduced key concepts involved in responding to disaster situations. The next two days included Disaster Management Skills Rotations, in which learners participated in and responded to simulations representing specific aspects of health-care challenges that could occur during crises.

The retreat was supported by presentations highlighting innovations in the CCC communities. Interprofessional collaboration and teamwork were also discussed in groups, which this year included nursing students from Canadore College.

NOSM Dean, Dr. Roger Strasser, provided the keynote presentation, entitled "What Can We Learn From Rural Health?" Dr. Strasser also explained to participants how this gathering was an excellent opportunity for all participants to present ideas, share experiences, and exchange insights into the Comprehensive Community Clerkship program.

"Feedback from learners, coordinators, clinicians, faculty and staff has been very positive. There has been a real sense of excitement that all participants acquired valuable knowledge and skills through these presentations, discussions, and learning sessions. The insights gained from this retreat will further our common goal of educating health professionals fully grounded in an understanding of the unique health challenges in Northern Ontario," said Dr. Strasser.

Currently, 12 communities participate in NOSM’s Comprehensive Community Clerkship program: Bracebridge, Dryden, Fort Frances, Huntsville, Kapuskasing, Kenora, North Bay, Parry Sound, Sault Ste. Marie, Sioux Lookout, Temiskaming Shores, and Timmins.