Background

The mission of the Inner City Health Program at St. Michael's Hospital is to improve the health of vulnerable inner city populations through clinical care and research. St. Michael's Hospital serves the residents of Southeast Toronto, one of the poorest urban areas in Canada. Despite recent economic growth, people at the lowest rungs of the socioeconomic ladder are often worse off than they were a decade ago, and now face increasing social, economic, and health problems. Important issues for disadvantaged inner city populations include homelessness, chronic mental illness, addictions, and HIV/AIDS. These challenges are often exacerbated by social isolation, language and cultural barriers, and barriers in the health care system.

Elective Description

This 3-4 week elective will provide students with a focused exposure to medical problems and social issues relevant to health in the inner city. Students will gain practical knowledge about the role of health determinants and the health care system in the inner city, and will improve their ability to deliver health care effectively in an inner city environment. The elective includes exposure to health care delivery in two important settings (and a variety of programs):

1. The Family Medicine/Primary Care component of the elective will take place at the St. Michael's Hospital Health Centre at 410 Sherbourne Street. This Family Practice Unit serves residents of a low-income community in the heart of Toronto's inner city. Physician areas of interest include addiction medicine, mental health, HIV, and care of gay, lesbian, and transgendered patients.

2. The Community Outreach/Homelessness component of the elective will take place at the Medical Unit at Seaton House Infirmary, the largest homeless shelter in Canada. Students will become familiar with the health problems of homeless persons and common challenges in the delivery of care in this population. Additional time at local hostels is possible, but will require the student to take the lead in making arrangements.

Availability of space in this elective is extremely limited.  In addition, no more than one student may take the elective at any one time. 

Contact: Gilda Barillas
BarillasG@smh.ca

Your elective placement may/may not be with the preceptor assigned in this email confirmation notice.  The department will assign a preceptor.