Learning Opportunities
- An elective experience or clinical rotation in Atikokan, through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, will expose a learner to many dimensions of Family Medicine.
Dr. Joanne Spencer, Chief of Staff; Dr. Carla Milo; Dr. Sara Van Der Loo; Dr. Roberto Campanaro; Inset: Dr. John Fotheringham
Several physicians in the community practice Obstetrics. Chemotherapy is administered under the guidance of the oncologists of Thunder Bay.
As a natural consequence of having remote specialist backup, the Atikokan physicians have developed a broader range of skills than their urban counterparts.
All physicians administer thrombolytics. Minor surgeries include the usual lumps and bumps removal. Palliative care is another routine aspect of the Atikokan medical practice. The hospital has space and equipment in place to provide endoscopy services and, although the physicians currently on staff do not provide this service, the equipment is available when needed for visiting or locum physicians.
In the absence of specialists on site, learners have the advantage of participating in the care of patients from admission to discharge. Working one-on-one with their preceptor, learners have maximum ability to improve their clinical and interpersonal skills, in a setting where physicians take the time to discuss cases with their students and residents during and after their consultations.