McMaster Program

Question 1

McMasters style of learning

Answer 1

Problem based approach to learning
-I like this because it is more similar to a physicians actual daily role/ how they practice medicine than just lecture-based memorization and regurgitation

Question 2

What do you like about the program?

Answer 2

Early exposure to patients

• I believe interpersonal skills are very important too, in addition to medical knowledge
• this helps to see the real human impacts and experiences that are behind the medical knowledge; adds life to learning
• extra motivation to learn; see patients, real people, who are affected, and work to learn so that you can help people in their situations, even if it’s not them
• deep empathy instead of sympathy; when you meet patients and hear their real experiences, you can try to relate to them more than you can by reading a textbook

Question 3

How do you feel about the duration of the program

Answer 3

When in undergrad, I took a full time course load in the summer after 1st year and 2nd year + and also enrolled in a full time course load for the first half of the summer after 3rd year.

I have a strong work ethic and desire to keep learning. McMaster’s 11-month-a-year program is preferable for me

I thrive in intense environments; I will rise to the challenge

Question 4

Small group learning environments

Answer 4

• cooperation skills: as physicians, will have to work together with members of the healthcare team respectfully, including doctors and other healthcare professionals
• need to learn to voice your opinions and learn in small groups
• different opinions: differences of opinion contribute to critical thinking, new perspectives, and new ideas

Question 5

More elective time

Answer 5

I am very motivated and self-directed and would use this elective time to advance my understanding of the medical profession. I can’t say exactly what I’ll do because the opportunity hasn’t presented itself, but I would love to participate in research, volunteer in the community, shadow doctors to gain insights about different specialities or different places of practice (clinic called hospital, rural vs urban), or join an interest group at the medical school, such as McMaster’s social justice interest group.

Anything I believe would make me a better, more well rounded physician in the long run.