Rethinking how we educate our future physicians: the Queen’s-Lakeridge Health Medical Degree Family Medicine program: an innovative approach to medical education

Authors

  • Eugenia Piliotis Queen's University
  • Jennifer Turnnidge Queen's University
  • Cailie S McGuire Queen's University
  • Nancy Dalgarno Queen's University
  • Anthony J Sanfilippo Queen's University
  • Arun Balasubramaniam Queen's University
  • Michelle Gibson Queen's University
  • Michael Green Queen's University
  • Shayna Watson Queen's University
  • Renee Fitzpatrick Queen's University
  • Randy S Wax Queen's University
  • Heidi McHattie Queen's University
  • Nadia Ismiil Queen's University
  • Ruzica Jokic Queen's University
  • Natasha Aziz Queen's University
  • Anthony Stone Queen's University
  • Allan Grill Queen's University
  • Richard van Wylick Queen's University
  • Denise Stockley Queen's University
  • Jane Philpott Queen's University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.81759

Abstract

Canadian healthcare, particularly family medicine, is experiencing a capacity crisis. To address this challenge, systems-level reform is required. Specific to medical education, there is an urgency for educational institutions to prepare the next generation of physicians to meet Canadians’ healthcare needs. This will require not only the expansion of the number of physicians trained, but consideration of the specialty mix and types of practice those physicians are prepared to undertake. Building on an existing collaborative partnership, the Queen’s-Lakeridge Health Doctor of Medicine - Family Medicine Program (QLH MD FM) launched in 2023. This initiative is designed to address the needs of Canadians through purposeful recruitment and the development of learners interested in, and committed to, careers in family medicine. This paper shares the experiences of the QLH MD FM team, and the steps taken in conceptualizing and implementing this educational initiative. A program description is provided, focusing on the six program pillars: (a) admissions, (b) curriculum, (c) faculty and staff engagement, (d) community engagement, (e) infrastructure and supports, and (f) learner experience. The QLH MD FM Program is an innovative approach to medical education that emphasizes an authentic focus on addressing the complex healthcare needs of individuals and their communities.

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Author Biographies

Eugenia Piliotis, Queen's University

MD, MEd, Associate Dean MD Program, Professor of Medicine, Queen’s University Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Cailie S McGuire, Queen's University

PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Nancy Dalgarno, Queen's University

PhD, Professional Development and Educational Scholarship, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, nancy.dalgarno@queensu.ca

Anthony J Sanfilippo, Queen's University

MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Arun Balasubramaniam, Queen's University

MBA, Manager, Queen’s Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Michelle Gibson, Queen's University

MD, MEd, CCFP(COE), FCFP, Assistant Dean, Curriculum, MD Program, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Michael Green, Queen's University

MD, MPH, CCFP, FCFP, President and Dean, NOSM University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; Professor Emeritus, Departments of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Shayna Watson, Queen's University

MD, MEd, CCFP, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Renee Fitzpatrick, Queen's University

MB. BCH. BAO. MRCPsych. FRCPC. Assistant Dean Student Affairs, MD Program Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Randy S Wax, Queen's University

MD, MEd, FRCPC, FCCM, Associate Professor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Chief of Staff, Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Heidi McHattie, Queen's University

BA, Manager, Academic Affairs & LHEARN, Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Nadia Ismiil, Queen's University

MD, FRCPC, M.M, Deputy chief of staff, Chief of Academic Affairs and Research, Lakeridge Health, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Ruzica Jokic, Queen's University

MD FRCP(C), FCPA, Assistant Dean Distributed Medical Education, School of Medicine, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Natasha Aziz, Queen's University

MD, CCFP, Curriculum Director Queen’s-Lakeridge MD FM Program, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Anthony Stone, Queen's University

MD, CCFP, FCFP, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Lecturer, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; University of Toronto, Lead Physician, Clarington Family Health Organization, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Allan Grill, Queen's University

MD, CCFP(COE), MPH, FCFP, CCPE, Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Richard van Wylick, Queen's University

MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Denise Stockley, Queen's University

PhD, Professor and Scholar in Higher Education, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Jane Philpott, Queen's University

CCFP, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

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Published

2025-12-09

How to Cite

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Piliotis E, Turnnidge J, McGuire CS, Dalgarno N, Sanfilippo AJ, Balasubramaniam A, et al. Rethinking how we educate our future physicians: the Queen’s-Lakeridge Health Medical Degree Family Medicine program: an innovative approach to medical education . Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 9 [cited 2025 Dec. 10];. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/81759

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Copyright (c) 2025 Eugenia Piliotis, Jennifer Turnnidge, Cailie S McGuire, Nancy Dalgarno, Anthony J Sanfilippo, Arun Balasubramaniam, Michelle Gibson, Michael Green, Shayna Watson, Renee Fitzpatrick, Randy S Wax, Heidi McHattie, Nadia Ismiil, Ruzica Jokic, Natasha Aziz, Anthony Stone, Allan Grill, Richard van Wylick, Denise Stockley, Jane Philpott

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