A paid rural externship program for University of Saskatchewan medical students, offering hands-on clinical experience in rural and remote communities.
Program Overview
The Physician Rural Externship Program (PREP) provides University of Saskatchewan medical students, between their second and third year, with the opportunity to gain hands-on clinical experience in rural and remote communities across Saskatchewan.
This program is a collaborative initiative between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA), and the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine.
Program Details
Through supervised clinical placements, students can apply their knowledge, develop practical skills and gain insight into the scope of rural family medicine practice.
Over the past 14 years, more than 375 medical students have participated in PREP placements across 44 communities in Saskatchewan.
Eligibility
- University of Saskatchewan undergraduate medical students between their second and third year of study
- Criminal record checks may be required by the SHA
Placement Locations
Placements take place in rural and remote communities across Saskatchewan.
The following locations are not eligible:
- Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert
- Surrounding bedroom communities:
- Balgonie, Clavet, Delisle, Emerald Park, Langham, Lumsden, Martensville, Pense, Pilot Butte, Warman or White City
- Surrounding bedroom communities:
Placement Duration
Placements typically occur between late May and the start of the academic year in late July.
The recommended placement length is at least four weeks.
The minimum placement length is two weeks, upon request only.
Clinical Experience
During the externship, students:
- work under the direct supervision of a physician
- perform procedures appropriate to their level of training and skill, as determined by the supervising physician
- can shadow more advanced or complex procedures
- gain exposure to a broad scope of rural family medicine practice
- Pre-clerkship students, during clinical learning experiences, will not see any patients or standardized patients confirmed positive for COVID-19.
Compensation and Support
Participants receive:
- $500 per week salary (taxable income)
- $250 per week cost-of-living allowance (non-taxable)
Externs are responsible for arranging their own accommodations.
Evaluation
Students complete a post-placement experience evaluation.
Supervising physicians provide a brief performance assessment.
With consent from both parties, evaluations may be shared for future learning opportunities.
Cancellation
If PREP is cancelled before the externship begins, no payments will be issued.
If the externship has already started and is cancelled, or cannot be completed for reasons outside the control of the student or the supervising physician, weekly payments will continue.
How to Apply
Applications are now closed for 2025.