Fourth year medical students from the University of British Columbia are continuing their education as they make their way to become full doctors in northern Vancouver Island.
Doctor Alex Nataros says Elsie Wang and Julia Hughes have made a solid impact on the community as they continue their education.
“They’re fabulous and fast learners, in their fourth year almost full doctors,” he says. “They’ve contributed a lot to the community, and they learn a lot.”
Nataros says once Wang and Hughes complete their training, and education, he’s hopeful they’ll remain in the community.
“They still have to finish school and do a two-year medical residency,” he says. “They’re not at the stage where they can choose where they want to work yet, but it’s hopeful for us and we’re always trying to recruit.”
Photo credit: Dr. Alex Nataros, North Island Community Health Centre
He says the community currently has four family doctors at the North Island Community Health Centre, along with two physiotherapists, an RMT, occupational therapist. But, more are needed and the community needs to attract more medical professionals.
“Making it appealing for medical students makes it more likely that we’re going to attract doctors back to the North Island,” he says.
Nataros believes learning how to deliver patient care in a rural/remote setting is extremely important to developing a new doctor’s skills and calls the experience he shares in the North Island very unique to all students.
“It’s really important not matter what these ‘near doctors’ become,” he says. “If they become cardiologist, plastic surgeons, or family doctors that they understand what it’s like to deliver healthcare in a low resource setting.”
Nataros has had nine students and one resident train in the North Island in the past year.
