Why Queen's PHPM? | Family Medicine | School of Medicine

The Queen’s Public Health and Preventive Medicine program offers early integration of public health training, strong links to public health agencies with faculty who are committed to teaching, and flexibility for learners to explore area of interests.

Early integration into PHPM half day: In PGY1 and PGY2, residents join PHPM academic half-day during family medicine blocks, and during off-service blocks as able. This supports early integration into QPHPM and strong foundational public health knowledge.
Local public health rotation during PGY1: PGY1s complete one block at KFL&A Public Health, which serves as an introduction to local public health and PHPM practice.
Customization of family medicine rotations: During PGY2, residents are able to choose core family medicine rotations that suit their interests. Some recent examples include:
- Rural family medicine in Moose Factory, with a focus on Indigenous health
- Full scope family medicine at the Kingston Community Health Center with a focus on refugee health or sexual health). There are also three elective blocks during PGY2.
Flexibility and diversity of experience in the academic year: In PGY3, residents are encouraged to build a diversity of experience during their academic year, whether that means strong MPH training at Queen’s University or elsewhere, subject to program approval.
Academic advisors: QPHPM residents have both a family medicine academic advisor during PGY1 and 2, and a public health academic advisor during all five years. Academic advisors support residents in planning rotations, and in ensuring residents achieve their competencies and support progression through training. Public health academic advisors are matched based on shared personal and professional interest, and can be selected from a group of QPHPM faculty working in a variety of roles across the country.
Individualized rotations and electives: During PGY4 and 5, residents are encouraged to create a schedule that best suits their learning leads, with support from academic advisors and faculty. Residents have 6 months of elective time during the final two years.
Program leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni: QPHPM has strong ties to faculty and alumni, who are dedicated to guiding residents through their training. Program leadership and staff are key elements of ensuring residents are supported throughout their years with QPHPM.

Queen’s PHPM also holds several events and academic sessions throughout the year. These events are not only excellent learning opportunities, but also allow residents to connect as a resident group, no matter the PGY year. These include:

QPHPM Bootcamp: A two-day event held in early August, intended to introduce junior residents to common public health issues, and to prepare senior residents for on-call issues.
QPHPM Retreat: A two-day session in September that brings together residents and faculty to discuss recent public health issues or for programmatic topics. Previous retreat topics include QPHPM strategic planning, media training, artificial intelligence in public health, and competency-based medical education.
National Review Course: Queen’s PHPM partners with the UBC PHPM program to hold the yearly National Review Course. This week-long course in October/November aims to prepare residents for their Royal College Exam, but residents of all years in QPHPM are invited to join.

Check out our resident-run Instagram to learn more about the program.