How to Become a Learner

Pre-Clerks:

We are currently in the process of organizing Rural Medicine Week 2025. Applications will be open in the new year.

Application deadlines:

University of Ottawa: January 20 – February 2, 2025

Queen’s University: January 6-19, 2025

University of Toronto: February 3 – March 2, 2025

Northern Ontario School of Medicine: TBD – please email rompweek@romponline.com if you are interested

Please note that the application process is competitive, and you MUST include the following as part of your application package: a Letter of Good Standing, and a Letter of Intent. Please send these documents to rompweek@romponline.com following the submission of your online application.

A) ROMP WEEK 2025

Also known as Rural Medicine Week or Discovery Week, ROMP Week is a one week funded elective offered to pre-clerk Ontario University medical students during their summer break. The goal of ROMP Week is to offer pre-clerks the opportunity to get “hands-on” clinical experience as well as showcase what the host community has to offer. Pre-clerks receive exposure to the high-lights of the hospital and geographic region that interests them and are given the choice of their community based on their place of study. Many communities have or are sites for ROMP Week Students.

In this short one week elective, pre-clerks acquire knowledge and get to practice various clinical skills such as suturing and casting. The social aspects revolve around what the community has to offer and allow the learners to have fun through various activities such as: canoeing, hiking, guided tours, and social events with community members. ROMP Week is a unique elective with the hopes of allowing medical students to understand what it is like to practice medicine in a rural community.

B) Summer electives

Pre-clerks can apply to do a summer elective after their first year of medical school. Electives are an excellent way to connect with preceptors and discover communities along with their hospitals, seeing what they have to offer and gaining valuable experience. Summer electives are very competitive and not guaranteed. To be considered, please complete an application and send in a Letter of Good Standing and a Letter of Intent that outlines any past rural experience or ties to the requested community.

The application deadline for Summer Electives 2025 is April 27, 2025.
*Please note there is no funding available for Summer Elective learners.

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Clerks:

ROMP organizes both core and elective clerkship rotations within the ROMP region (Click here for a list of Communities). Community-based clerkship opportunities are an excellent way to help prepare for residency.

Many schools have predetermined core rotations established in ROMP Communities. Although the school may assign a preceptor and provided rotation details, it is imperative that the learners apply meticulously through ROMP for these rotations. Only by applying through ROMP can the hospital privileges be secured and funding be granted.

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Residents:

ROMP organizes both core and elective resident rotations within the ROMP region (Click here for a list of Communities). Community-based clerkship opportunities are an excellent way to help prepare for practice.
Many schools have predetermined core rotations established in ROMP Communities. Although the school may assign a preceptor and provided rotation details, it is imperative that the learners apply meticulously through ROMP for these rotations. Only by applying through ROMP can the hospital privileges be secured and funding be granted.

PGY3 Resident candidates:
Calling all Rural Hearted Family Medicine PGY2s! Applications are now open for our McMaster/ROMP PGY3 Enhanced-Skills Program. Train in beautiful Rural/Regional Ontario in Anesthesia (FPA) OR choose your own adventure with Rural Self-Design. Prepare yourself for a rural generalist practice. Deadline to apply: Early September of PGY2 year. Need more information? or call: 1-877-445-7667.

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Out-of-Province Learners:

This group of learners include anyone studying outside of Ontario but within one of Canada’s provinces or territories. ROMP provides out of province students and graduates with administrative support in arranging learning opportunities in Rural South Central Ontario.
*Please note there is no funding available for Out of province learners.

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International Clerks:

International Canadian Citizens or permanent residents of Canada studying outside of the country of Canada. ROMP can assist with rotations for international learners. An international medical learner who wishes to set up a clinical rotation in Ontario must do the following:

1) Find and confirm a preceptor.

2) Complete an application form a minimum of 6 months prior to the rotation start date here:
Application Form

3) You will be notified once your application is submitted with the necessary paperwork to complete a minimum of 5 months prior to the rotation start date.

4) Please note ROMP can only place internationally trained learners in ROMP regions 2 and 4.
For a list of communities please see: Communities
*Please note. There is no funding available for international learners nor their preceptor-supervisors.*
*Please note, fees will apply to all international learner applications*

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International Graduates:

We cannot support graduates who were trained outside of the country of Canada. Please refer to HFO for other types of opportunities.
*Please note there is no funding available for international learners and graduates.

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Hire a Med Student!

Hire a Med Student allows medical students to gain research and quality improvement experience in health care with rural and regional Ontario communities. Students will participate in quality improvement projects, community research initiatives and work alongside physicians other health care professionals.

DESCRIPTION

• Focus on quality improvement projects and local community health care research

• Work a minimum of 6 weeks at a minimum of 30 hours per week

• Must be worked within the timeframe of April 21 to August 29, 2025 (exact dates will be negotiated with employer)

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

• Medical students in their pre-clerk or clerkship years

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• Legally entitled to work in Canada

• Be between the ages of 15 – 30 years of age

• Interest in rural medicine and rural communities

HOW TO APPLY

• Submit an application at www.romponline.com

• Submit an up-to-date resume/CV and Letter of Intent to romp@romponline.com

• Identify previous research/quality improvement experience

• Explain interest in Health Quality Improvement in Ontario small communities

• Identify interest in rural training, rural medical practice, and previous experience in rural Ontario

• Express rural communities of interest and priority

DEADLINE TO APPLY

The deadline to submit your application, resume/CV and Letter of Intent is January 1 – February 15, 2025.

QUESTIONS

Please contact the Rural Ontario Medical Program (ROMP) at 1-877- 445- 7667 or romp@romponline.com if you have any questions.