Medical residents across the country, including here in British Columbia, are gearing up for the 15th annual Resident Awareness Week (RAW) — a national campaign designed to raise awareness of the important contribution that residents make to the health of communities in Canada.
“UBC residents are learning and working across the province, increasing service capacity across diverse health care settings in regional and remote communities,” says Dr. Roger Wong, Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education. “It’s great to take the time during Resident Awareness Week to reflect on and recognize the active role that these trainees play in our health care system.”
To learn more about this year’s campaign, running February 15-19, we sat down with Dr. Vishal Varshney, a UBC third-year anesthesiology resident and the President of Resident Doctors of BC.
Dr. Vishal Varshney, a UBC third-year anesthesiology resident and the President of Resident Doctors of BC.
As a UBC resident and President of Resident Doctors of BC, why do you feel it’s important to celebrate and recognize the work of residents?
“I think it’s really important to celebrate and recognize the work of resident physicians because they are actively engaged on the front lines of healthcare in this province.
Anyone who has entered a hospital or clinic — whether it’s in Vancouver, Nanaimo, or Prince George — has likely been seen by, or treated by a resident physician. Although we’re on the front lines of healthcare, not everyone is aware of what our role is — that role being an MD who is training in a supervised setting prior to independent practice.”
What are some of the activities that Resident Doctors of BC has in store to help mark the 15th annual Resident Awareness Week?
“There are a lot of activities taking place this year to celebrate Resident Awareness Week. Between February 15 and 19, we’ll be operating information booths in hospitals across the province, including Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna General Hospital, as well as Surrey Memorial, and St. Paul’s Hospital. At these booths, residents doctors will be on hand to talk about what it means to be a resident, and answer any questions the public, or even some of our fellow colleagues in allied health, may have about the kind of training we’re engaged in.
For the second year in a row, we’ll also be promoting the Humans of Residency project. This photo campaign, which was inspired by the popular series Humans of New York, profiles a wide range of UBC resident doctors, and includes a short quote from each. Like last year, you’ll find our Humans of Residency project at information booths, or online. Several will also be put up on the Canada Line trains and buses in the Lower Mainland.
In the lead up to the week, we’ll also be conducting interviews with various media outlets, so stay tuned!”
What are some simple ways that UBC residents can get involved in the campaign?
“One of the easiest ways for UBC residents to get involved is to simply strike up a conversation with their friends, family, colleagues, and patients about their work, and the role that they play in the BC healthcare system. Once we, as residents, show how enthusiastic and engaged we are in our residency training, the awareness will lend itself and others will start to become more engaged, and gain a clearer picture of what it means to be a resident doctor.
Another simple way residents can get involved is to stop by our information booths, join us for events taking place throughout the week, or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter (#residentweek).”
How will you be celebrating or taking part in Resident Awareness Week?
“I’ll be working at Vancouver General Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit, working alongside a team of allied healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, dieticians, nurses, other residents and staff physicians. Over the course of the week, I’ll be handing out memorabilia from Resident Doctors of BC, and striking conversations with people to raise awareness by showcasing the work of residents.”