{"id":9690,"date":"2026-07-06T11:36:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/?p=9690"},"modified":"2026-07-06T12:04:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T16:04:51","slug":"briefing-note-supporting-indigenous-medical-learners-in-visiting-electives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/briefing-note-supporting-indigenous-medical-learners-in-visiting-electives","title":{"rendered":"BRIEFING NOTE Supporting Indigenous Medical Learners in Visiting Electives"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"9690\" class=\"elementor elementor-9690\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63d95b13 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"63d95b13\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4521052f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4521052f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>AFMC | IPAC<\/strong><br \/>Association of Faculties of Medicine of da | Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> BRIEFING NOTE<br \/>Supporting Indigenous Medical Learners in Visiting Electives<\/strong><br \/>June 2026 | Issued by AFMC in collaboration with IPAC<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This note has been prepared to provide an important clarification regarding visiting electives<br \/>arranged directly between Indigenous medical learners and Indigenous family physicians,<br \/>specialists, and\/or physician experts in Indigenous Health.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The AFMC provides and manages the online platform for the application to visiting electives at host<br \/>institutions for Canadian and International medical students. Additionally, the AFMC provides<br \/>application guidance to medical students to support their application including instructions and<br \/>consequences on improper conduct and professionalism in contacting host institutions directly to<br \/>arrange electives. The current AFMC Student Portal Guidelines state:<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll visiting clinical elective bookings must be made through the AFMC Portal ( or other<br \/>established structures) to ensure an equitable and transparent process.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students are not permitted to contact preceptors, sites, or faculty directly for any<br \/>elective-related reason, including to arrange, hold, or inquire about elective availability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Students who are uncertain about the appropriate process should contact their home school for<br \/>clarification and guidance.<br \/>Any attempt to arrange electives outside of the Portal ( or other established structures) will not<br \/>be processed or recognized as a valid placement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Such actions will be reported to the student\u2019s home school and may be considered a<br \/>professionalism concern, potentially resulting in disqualification from future elective<br \/>opportunities at the host institution.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the spring of 2026, representatives from the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC)<br \/>met with staff of the AFMC during the AFMC Indigenous Health Committee to raise concerns that<br \/>Indigenous medical students seeking to arrange direct mentorship or visiting electives with<br \/>Indigenous physician preceptors or in Indigenous Health fear receiving<br \/>professionalism citations or disqualification from future elective applications because of direct<br \/>contact.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The intent of the professionalism guidelines is meant to address unfair access to competitive<br \/>electives facilitated by unequal personal or professional networks. The guideline intends to<br \/>promote fairness and transparent processes, not to create barriers to cultural ly and<br \/>professionally relevant experiences for Indigenous medical students.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Clarification<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indigenous medical students must apply through the AFMC Student Portal for a visiting elective<br \/>with a faculty-associated Indigenous physician (regardless of specialty) if the elective is offered<br \/>on the Portal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For electives not offered on the AFMC Student Portal, Indigenous medical students applying or<br \/>directly arranging for a visiting elective with a faculty-associated Indigenous physician<br \/>(regardless of speciality) and\/or an Indigenous Health elective through connections made at the<br \/>Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada (IPAC) Annual Mentorship Gathering or through other<br \/>Indigenous mentorship networks is recognized as an \u201cother established structures\u201d under the AFMC<br \/>Student Portal guideline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Indigenous medical students seeking to pursue visiting elective opportunities through these<br \/>\u201cother established structures\u201d pathways will not receive professionalism complaints or<br \/>disqualifications from being eligible to apply to future electives at the host institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For further clarity, this applies to both Indigenous health electives and specialty-specific<br \/>electives with Indigenous family physicians and specialists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What This Means for You<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are an Indigenous medical student, AFMC and IPAC support you in:<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Connecting with Indigenous physicians.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reaching out to Indigenous preceptors for elective opportunities in any specialty, not only in<br \/>Indigenous health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Using the internal coordination processes at your home faculty (if established) where mentors<br \/>and administrators can help facilitate formal placements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reporting to your program administration and the AFMC Student Portal any<br \/>professionalism complaints you have received \u2014 or may inadvertently receive in the future \u2014 related<br \/>to pursuing Indigenous-based elective opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a non-Indigenous medical student seeking to arrange an elective in Indigenous Health,<br \/>the clarifications above apply noting. Please ensure you use the internal coordination processes at<br \/>your home faculty before applying.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a visiting electives administrator and have further questions regarding this guideline<br \/>clarification, please contact the AFMC Student Portal at service@afmcstudentportal.ca or through<br \/>pre-established AFMC contacts, as appropriate.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reporting a Concern<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are an Indigenous medical student that receives a professionalism complaint or<br \/>disqualification for future applications related to arranging a visiting elective directly in<br \/>Indigenous Health or with an Indigenous physician through an established mentorship pathway, please<br \/>contact your respective Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) program administration and the AFMC<br \/>Student Portal Helpdesk at service@afmcstudentportal.ca.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AFMC is committed to reviewing and, where appropriate, reversing such complaints or<br \/>disqualifications.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>AFMC and IPAC are working together on the following:<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A joint announcement will be made at the upcoming IPAC Annual Mentorship Gathering meeting to<br \/>ensure educators, preceptors and learners across the country are informed of the guideline<br \/>clarification.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The finalized communication will be presented at the AFMC Undergraduate Medical Education<br \/>(UGME) meeting on June 17, 2026, so all Deans can provide their input and support consistent<br \/>implementation at their institutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Longer-term, AFMC and IPAC is pursuing systemic improvements and exploring pathways to ensure<br \/>Indigenous preceptors in community settings are appropriately recognized for their teaching<br \/>contributions and supported in removing barriers to faculty<br \/>recruitment processes to expand opportunities for learners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AFMC | IPACAssociation of Faculties of Medicine of da | Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada BRIEFING NOTESupporting Indigenous Medical Learners in Visiting ElectivesJune 2026 | Issued by AFMC in collaboration with IPAC \u00a0 Purpose This note has been prepared to provide an important clarification regarding visiting electivesarranged directly between Indigenous medical learners and Indigenous family [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[21,20],"class_list":["post-9690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-news","tag-visiting-electives"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9690"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9709,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9690\/revisions\/9709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/afmcstudentportal.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}