I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
As we approach another academic year, I’m reminded that we couldn’t educate and train our students without the invaluable contributions of practising health professionals who guide and inspire our learners from all programs in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
Known as clinical educators, clinical education facilitators, clinical instructors, fieldwork educators or preceptors, these dedicated mentors play a critical role in health care by serving as role models for undergraduate and graduate students in dental hygiene, dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and rehabilitation sciences.
They ensure that clinical placements are structured and clinical competencies and curriculum learning objectives are met, while maintaining patient safety and high standards of patient care.
Clinical educators also support and enhance students’ learning. Through feedback, assessment and modelling patient- or client-centred care, they foster students’ confidence, professionalism and critical-thinking skills.
The College of Pharmacy relies on 570 preceptors in locations such as community and hospital pharmacies, primary care centres, insurance companies, research centres and the pharmaceutical industry.
In the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, the respiratory therapy program counts on 52 clinical co-ordinators and 272 preceptors. Clinical learning sites are located around the province at hospitals, a private medical sales company and at a primary care health clinic.
The physical therapy program has 325 preceptors throughout the province, with representation in all regional health authorities in both public and private practice settings. All physiotherapy students are required to complete a minimum of one clinical placement outside of Winnipeg.
The occupational therapy program has 400 fieldwork educators at hospitals/health centres, rehabilitation centres, long-term care facilities, private practices, primary care clinics, worksites, school systems, on community outreach teams, in non-governmental organizations, and with home-based services in rural, urban and First Nations communities.
In the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, 160 clinical instructors teach undergraduate and graduate students in pre-clinical labs and clinical facilities. Most teach at the clinics within the college. Clinical instructors are also located in Winnipeg community clinics, the homecare/mobile van program, as well as in Churchill, Thompson and some First Nations communities.
In the Max Rady College of Medicine, there are 63 clinical educators, more than 1,500 preceptors and approximately 700 academic physicians (GFTs) who participate in the clinical education of medical learners at sites around the province.
The College of Nursing depends on 80 to 100 clinical education facilitators each academic term, in diverse locations that include hospitals, personal care homes and community health settings.
All colleges are grateful for the integral role clinical educators play in shaping the next generation of dental hygienists, dentists, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physician assistants, physicians, physiotherapists and respiratory therapists.
We really couldn’t do it without you!
I want to thank our more than 4,100 clinical educators and preceptors for providing an essential bridge between academic learning and practice. Many of you are proud UM alumni, and we appreciate your giving back by sharing your knowledge and experience. We encourage others to consider this vital role.
Your impact goes beyond the clinical setting and advances the kind of health professional we are committed to graduating: one who is compassionate, competent and dedicated to high-quality care.
Peter Nickerson [B.Sc.(Med.)/86, MD/86]
Vice-Provost (Health Sciences) & Dean,
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba