Neil Kalra went through PREP, a program for medical students, in 2012.

During the summer, 40 medical students at the U of S took part in PREP — a rural externship program — to learn more about practicing in rural Saskatchewan.

The students shadowed doctors in 24 rural and remote communities within the province, where they gained valuable experience to help them decide on where to work and what type of medicine to practice.

The program is designed for medical students who are between their second and third years of study.

PREP is jointly delivered by Saskdocs — a non-profit medical recruitment agency — the U of S College of Medicine and the Saskatchewan Medical Association.

James Winkel, communications manager for Saskdocs, said this year’s program had 53 applicants and placed a record number of students since its inception in 2011.

“While we’d love to place everybody, it all comes down to having the space, positions, and accommodations,” Winkel said.

The rotations take place in communities outside of Saskatoon and Regina, and range from four to 12 weeks in length.

“Sometimes the students are just so busy that they only have a couple weeks to spare,” Winkel said.

Students completing the program also receive a small stipend to cover accommodations and per diems.

The main role of Saskdocs is getting the word out about PREP.

“We have a recruiter that meets directly with medical learners at the U of S and we try to engage that recruiter with the students early on so they know about the program,” Winkel said.

One of the students who took advantage of this opportunity, Samantha Holbird, completed a month-long rotation in Prince Albert and Shellbrook this summer.

“It is a good opportunity to practice the clinical skills we have learned in previous years,” said Holbird in an email to the Sheaf.

Holbird worked with Dr. Chamberlain Ajogwu, a family physician, as well as Dr. Ayaz Ramji, Dr. Michelle DuRussel and Dr. Duane Bulat, all of whom are pediatricians. During her rotation, Holbird took patients’ medical histories and conducted physical exams, discussing both with her mentor afterward.

Holbird is passionate about becoming a doctor but says there was no defining moment that made her decide to choose medicine as her area of study.

“It was just always something that I wanted to do,” Holbird said.

Now in her third year, Holbird says PREP was a great opportunity to practice medicine in her hometown of Prince Albert.

“It was actually very easy for me to find accommodations because I grew up just outside of Prince Albert so I was able to stay at my parent’s home… The SMA and Saskdocs do a good job of trying to match students to places where they have accommodations, as well as helping us to set up accommodations if necessary,” Holbird said. “When I was off work I was able to spend time with my family.”

Holbird says her favourite part of PREP was “getting to know the patients in the ward and watching their progress daily.”

A total of 114 aspiring doctors from the U of S have participated in PREP since 2011.

Winkel says that PREP not only benefits the medical students who participate in the program, but also the communities and clinics in which they practice as they get a chance to showcase their region to future doctors.

“The sooner you get an up-and-coming physician exposed to rural and remote practice, it increases the odds that that person will return there after graduation,” Winkel said. “Some students know from the get-go that they’re going to stay in Saskatchewan to practice medicine… most of them say that it’s not something they’re ruling out.”

Holbird plans to stay in Saskatchewan after she graduates.

“I have been here all my life and know that Saskatchewan has so much to offer,” she said.

“It’s a great experience,” Winkel said. “It’s a great way to enhance your skills and beef up your medical resume.”

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Photo: Supplied