Government

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Ministry of Health

Rural Education

Northern Medical Program

BC's Northern Medical Program is part of the provincial government's commitment to strengthen rural health services and patient care. This program helps to train, recruit and retain health professionals in northern and rural communities.

The Northern Medical Program helps increase the number of medical school graduates over five years through a collaborative training model and the University of British Columbia's Medical School Expansion. This includes two new satellite medical programs:

Northern Medical Program at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George; and Island Medical Program at the University of Victoria.

The provincial government is investing $2.2 million in response to recommendations, helping to promote the success of the Northern Medical Program and making Prince George a center of excellence in rural and remote health care. For more information, see the report, Building for the future of health care in Northern B.C. (PDF 291K), produced by a community action group of local physicians, educators and other members.

Rural Education Action Plan

The Rural Education Action Plan (REAP) supports and facilitates the training of physicians in rural practice, provides medical school students with experience in rural communities, and increases rural physicians' participation in the medical school selection process.

For an overview of initiatives and programs, see Appendix A: Overview of REAP and REAP Sponsored Programs (PDF 75K). There are several programs that are administered and delivered by the provincial government, British Columbia Medical Association and the University of BC (UBC). An application form is available here for the REAP Advanced Skills and Traineeships (PDF 150K).

Contacts for Rural Education Action Plan Funding

Lisa Oliver
REAP Program Administrative Coordinator
Suite 300 - 5950 University Blvd
Vancouver BC V6T 1Z3

Tel 604-827-4188
Fax 604-822-6950
Email: reap@familymed.ubc.ca

REAP: Advanced Skills & Traineeship (Applications)

Lisa Oliver
REAP Program Administrative Coordinator
Suite 300 - 5950 University Blvd
Vancouver BC V6T 1Z3

Tel 604-827-4188
Fax 604-822-6950
Email: reap@familymed.ubc.ca

Rural Continuing Medical Education

Rural Continuing Medical Education (RCME) provides funding grants to BC's rural physicians to continue their medical training. This helps physicians acquire and maintain the medical skills and expertise for effectively practicing in rural communities.

Under the RSA, this program offers eligible rural physicians with up to $5,200 per year for continuing medical education, depending on community isolation and duration of practice. This funding is available to physicians living and practicing in rural communities, in addition to the educational grants available to all BC physicians.

Please see the Rural Continuing Medical Education Policy (PDF 51K) for information on eligibility criteria, communities, funding and benefits, as well as the application process. A community eligibility list is also available at RCME ABC Community List (PDF 7.7K).

Rural physicians should contact their regional health authority regarding eligibility and applying for funding.