MD Program Year 3 Clinical Placements (update)

Dear MD Program Year Three Students, Staff and Faculty:

As the situation continues to evolve with the COVID-19 outbreak, the MD Program recognizes that the situation is changing rapidly and that our decision-making needs to be adaptive and flexible.

Following consultation with our hospital partners, the March 14, 2020 decision to place all third year Clerkship students on a two-week break as of March 16, 2020 has been extended to three-weeks, meaning all Year 3 clinical placements will be paused effective March 16, 2020 at least until April 4, 2020.

This pause of placements may require further extension as circumstances evolve. We will provide updates at least weekly. All updates are made available on the Faculty of Medicine COVID-19 webpage.

This decision to pause all Year 3 clinical placement is based on a number of mutually-related factors, including keeping patients safe, keeping students safe, managing limited resources as effectively as possible, and the need to embrace social distancing.

MD Program leaders are working to preserve the integrity of your learning experiences and make necessary plans for your return to Clerkship rotations once we are assured that is safe for both you and for the clinical sites. As noted in previous updates, you are advised to avoid international travel and the need for self-isolation on return to Canada.

Currently, the MD Program intends to preserve if possible the promotion and graduation timelines.

We know you are concerned about the match. Several other institutions have also taken a similar approach for Clerkship students at this time. We will also be working with the other Canadian programs and CaRMS to ensure that the match timelines are appropriate next year so that you have finished required experiences and had the opportunity to explore your career opportunities through electives prior to the match.

We understand this is difficult – for you as students and for our community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Academy Director, Dr. Bernstein or Dr. Houston. At this time, the Office of Health Professions Student Affairs remains available to you for your support.

Thank you for your understanding during this very difficult time.

Patricia Houston, Vice Dean, MD Program

Stacey Bernstein, Clerkship Director, MD Program