Unité de médecine familiale
In January 1988 the Centre hospitalier de Gatineau became affiliated to McGill University and inaugurated the Family Medicine Unit. It is with a certain pride that we continue to contribute to McGill's post doctorate family medicine training program!
L'Unité de médecine familiale (UMF) of Gatineau originates from the desire to train family doctors in our region. In fact, Order-in–Council 880-87, section 5 issued in June 1987, pertaining to training course duration and content, came in force on June 30th 1988. It abolishes multidisciplinary internships as a means to practice and was replaced by a 24-month specific program included in a general practice or family medicine post doctorate university program, certified by the Collège des médecins du Québec. Consequently, the Unit, once a rural site that would accept 2 residents per six-month periods, evolved into a much larger and complete entity that can accomodate up to 16 residents for a period of 24 months.
Establishing such a project could not have been possible without everyone's will and participation. For one thing, McGill's Family Medicine department gives guidance and helps developping our Unit's academic potential. Secondly, the hospital and the Agence de santé et de services sociaux de l'Outaouais' executive directorates allow, by their support, for the construction and maintenance of a learning center. Finally, the Department of Health (MSSS) and the various stakeholders all recognize the importance of training family doctors regionally, close to their community.
Needless to say, the entire team is very proud of its Unit and what it has achieved in the last few years. The Unit remains very committed to its goals and is continously seeking to offer quality internships close to real life situations.
Gatineau's UMF thus continues to forge ahead and to expand. Its presence in the Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Gatineau helps maintain quality of caring through excellence.
Recruitment of new family physicians is enhanced by the Teaching Unit. In fact, many of our graduates have already started their practice in our region. The lack of staff being what it is, the Outaouais can now rely on a local source of qualified people to fill part of its needs.
We wish to pay tribute to McGill's Family Medicine Department's director, Doctor William (Bill) Davis for his support at the outset of the UMF, as well as to the huge amount of work accomplished by Doctor Cléo Mavriplis, the founding director of the Unit. In 1987, they were gifted with the necessary vision to start and develop a UMF in the Outaouais. We must also emphasize on the department and program directors' continued precious support and encouragement. Despite distances, they remain totally available and keep listening to our needs. We can count on their diligence and vast experience in order for us to build a Unit faithful to the image of their department.
In 2008, the UMF turned twenty. We are now enjoying a full expansion cycle. In view of the UMF upgrading process, Health Minister Philippe Couillard has authorized a supplementary budget for reorganization and new resources. The goal is to bring up to twenty (20) the number of in-training resident physicians and students, per month (2 per month) and to ensure that sufficient personnel is present to lenghten opening hours for patients. All of this will be up to date by July 2009.
Our history is written a day at a time. Despite staffing shortages in the region, we are confident that we'll be able to meet the many challenges we are facing and able to improve, among other services, our access to care in the medium term.
You can visit the UMF at: http://umf.medecinefamiliale.com/
