We want to recognize our 2024 Residency Scholarship Award Winners. The committee was poised with a difficult decision as we received a high number of quality research papers from residency programs across the country. The results for the 2024 year are:
Top Winner: Dr. Melinda Caputo Janhager (University of Toronto)
This project is a pilot study aimed at exploring family medicine resident interest in narrative medicine and its potential value in residency curriculum design. Narrative medicine is a term coined by Dr. Rita Charon at Columbia University in the early 2000s. It refers to a framework through which physicians can connect with their patients and communities while reflecting on their own professional identity by exploring the story-telling that is ever present in medicine. This study seeks to recognize the unique role of medical residents in a transformative period of their training from medical students to practicing physicians and equip them with narrative tools to reflect on this transition.
2nd Place: Dr. Clara MacDonald (University of British Columbia)
This project brings validated psychological approaches to a difficult and pervasive topic in medicine. Fear of experiencing an adverse event creates anticipatory anxiety which has a negative effect on individuals and the health care system through reduced recruitment. The tools that have been developed are ideal for small group settings, such as the described narrative medicine group and PBLP. PBLP gives the opportunity for discussion and implementation through case studies integrating the important aspect of peer support, which is already informally present in PBLP activities. The lessons learned can be extended from residency to long-term effects on the health care system in terms of individual resiliency, team building, multidisciplinary relationships, mentorship and coaching, and mitigation of shame and blame-medical culture.
3rd Place: Dr. Karin Ishak (Memorial University)
This study explores the implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) modules within Academic Half-Days (AHD) for Memorial Family Medicine Residents, aiming to enhance resident engagement and knowledge acquisition. The biggest known barrier to AHD includes the geographical spread of our family medicine program. The background outlines changes made to the AHD model in response to resident feedback and accreditation requirements. Pilot testing and subsequent implementation of PBLP modules garnered positive feedback, with increased satisfaction levels post-implementation.