Understanding the Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum
Family physicians play an important role throughout the undergraduate medical education (UGME) program. Learners may encounter Family Medicine in a variety of settings, including early clinical experiences in years 1 and 2, classroom teaching sessions, tutorials, skills training, and clerkship placements. These experiences help students develop clinical skills, understand the principles of patient-centred care, and appreciate the breadth and value of Family Medicine.
The UGME curriculum is designed to help students progressively develop the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for residency training and future practice. In Family Medicine settings, students learn through direct patient care, observation, reflection, and participation in the healthcare team. As a clinical teacher, your role is to help students connect classroom learning to real-world practice, develop clinical reasoning skills, and grow in confidence as future physicians.
Whether you are supervising a student for a single session, leading a tutorial, delivering a teaching session, or hosting a student for a six-week clerkship placement, your teaching and feedback can have a lasting impact on their learning and career development. Many students identify their experiences with family physicians as some of the most influential and memorable parts of their medical education
Through exposure to comprehensive, continuous, and community-based care, students gain a unique understanding of the central role family physicians play within the healthcare system and the lives of their patients.