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Electives Initial Inquiry Form

Electives Initial Inquiry Form - UTPOP (Toronto)

Electives Evaluation Form - UTPOP (Toronto)

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BAFFIN ISLAND
University of Toronto

A number of psychiatrists from the University of Toronto make regular week- long trips to Baffin Island. I would highly recommend this outreach trip to residents as an excellent opportunity to challenge their skills in consulting, to learn about the Inuit culture, and to take in the beauty of our country’s far north!~ Dr. Julie Madgi, PGY 4

Sponsor: 

  • University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry

Supervision/faculty: 

  • Site Coordinator: Dr. Eric Hood
  • Faculty: Drs. L. Anderman, K. Balderson, B. Hodges, E. Hood, W. Johnston, S. Malcomson, L. Ramshaw
  • Varies with workload and site. Generally case by case, with resident and supervisor dividing workload and discussing cases throughout the day and at the end of the day.
  • Occasional brief solo visits by resident to remote communities, using telephone contact with supervisor

Level of Trainee: PGY4 - PGY5

Electives Coordinator:

Approval: Dr. Eric Hood
Phone: (416) 966-5466

Arrangements: Thérèse Millette
Phone: (416) 979-4971
Email: Therese_Millette@camh.net

Visits: 

  • 7-10 days/month x 12 times a year
  • Each consultant visits the same communities regularly and all spend time in Iqaluit

Nature of Experience:

  • Quite varied; outpatient assessments and follow-up, inpatient consultation including C/L, forensic assessments and assessment of individuals in custody, consultation to schools, mental health workers, agencies, participation in community consultations, community conferences, public and continuing education.
  • Rapid feedback to referring person

Patient Population: 

  • Mainly Inuit, sometimes requiring an interpreter
  • General psychiatry, all ages, usual proportion of major illnesses
  • Many depressive illnesses with traumatic histories. Much social and family disorder such as alcohol and substance abuse, family violence, child abuse, neglect and suicidality

Distance from Toronto: 1430 Km, 6.5 hours by air

Accommodation: 

  • Very good hotel in Iqaluit, variable in other communities
  • Travel, accommodation and meals are fully covered by the Baffin Regional Health Board

Population: 

  • 12,000, 80% Inuit in 12 communities
  • Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) population = 6,000

Climate:  

  • Near Arctic Circle, winter weather similar to Northwestern Ontario

Major sources of employment: 

  • Transportation, business, Health Board,
  • communications and government agencies

Recreation: 

  • Boating
  • Dog sledding
  • Sampling local food
  • Shopping for Inuit art
  • Snowmobiling

Special Issues: 

  • Smaller communities may have a limited range of fresh foods. Lots of supplies in Iqaluit.
  • Access to alcohol is restricted and varies between communities.
  • Limited commercial nightlife, wide range of TV channels, and numerous community activities for the curious
  • Lots of time for reading or studying.
  
      

Summary Chart | Information Clearing House Home Page

Last Modified: 10/16/03
Contact: psychnet@uwo.ca