MONTREAL, May 21, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Tomorrow, May 22, 2015, the Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec (FMRQ) is celebrating the annual Medical Resident Day for the 14th year in a row.
The purpose of Medical Resident Day is to raise public awareness of the role of Quebec's 3,800 medical residents within the healthcare system and acknowledge their unique contribution to fostering greater access to care across Quebec. The Day was started by the Resident Wellness Committee of the FMRQ, which works year-round to provide the best possible workplace and training environment for the upcoming generation of physicians.
From hospital to clinic, via patients' homes
"Medical residents' work often goes unrecognized by the public," stated FMRQ president, Dr Joseph Dahine. "But," he went on, "residents see and treat patients on a daily basis, in more than 100 healthcare establishments in Quebec."
Medical residents work closely with family doctors and specialist physicians, and with nurses and other health professionals, in the settings where they pursue their education. They are to be found in each of the 54 specialties recognized by the Collège des médecins du Québec, including family medicine.
"There are medical residents in every region of Quebec, 24 hours a day, working in Emergency, in Intensive Care, on the wards, and in clinics, family medicine units and operating rooms," the FMRQ president pointed out. "Residents in family medicine also make home visits. Medical residents are an integral part of health care teams," Dr Dahine emphasized, "and an essential link in the healthcare system for access to care."
Excelsior Awards
This Day also allows us to recognize the outstanding work of those representatives of the upcoming generation of doctors who get involved in their training sites and communities beyond their clinical activities, to identify problems and enhance the health of the population, from Montreal to Nunavut. They are present in every region of Quebec.
Patient care, research and teaching
In addition to delivering care to the public, medical residents teach their fellow medical residents and medical students, and collaborate on research projects. "When you're hospitalized or go to Emergency," Dr Dahine pointed out, "it's often medical residents who receive you and look after you."
Medical residents, added value, all year round
For Medical Resident Day, various activities are planned. But, as usual, most residents will be at work, fulfilling their role vis-à-vis their patients. "On May 22," stated Dr Dahine, "medical residents will be at their posts, as they are every day. For the public, and for health system workers, this will be an opportunity to underscore the contribution residents make to the healthcare system, all year round."
Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
The Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec is made up of the four medical residents' associations of the medical faculties of the University of Montreal, McGill University, the University of Sherbrooke and Laval University in Quebec City. It has some 3,800 members, of whom one quarter are headed for a practice in family medicine. The others are pursuing training in one of the 53 other specialties recognized in Quebec. Of that number, 39% are men and 61% are women. The duration of postgraduate education in family medicine is two years, while for specialized physicians it varies from five to six years, depending on the specialty chosen.
SOURCE Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
Source: Dr Joseph Dahine, President, Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec; Interviews and Information: Johanne Carrier, Senior Advisor, Communications and Public Affairs, Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec, Cell: 514-591-0502, Pager: 514-751-9983, Office: 514-282-0256 or 1-800-465-0215, Email: [email protected]
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