Education

The Division of Social Medicine is dedicated to providing the following education and training opportunities for students and professionals interested in addiction care, harm reduction and/or sexual health, through either the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) or the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE).

STUDENTS

UBC MD Substance Use, Related Harms and Interventions Research Elective

  • This four-week research elective is designed for highly motivated fourth year UBC medical students who are interested in addiction medicine and substance use care, or related epidemiological or qualitative research. Students with prior research experience may benefit most from the elective, but all are welcome to apply. The breakdown for the elective will be either: (1) approximately two-thirds research time and one-third clinical experience with people who use drugs; or (2) 100% research. Students can register for this elective via One45. If you would like further details about this elective, please contact Julie Sagram, Division Administrator: julie.sagram@bccsu.ubc.ca.

UBC MD Sexual Health Research Elective

  • This highly flexible two- or four-week research elective is open to fourth year UBC medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in sexual health research. Research topics may include gender equity (including sexual and reproductive health); prevention and care of STBBIs; gender-based violence and trauma-informed care; structural interventions and policies in sexual health and gender equity; and gender and sexual diversity. Students will have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a larger study or to see a small project (e.g., research letter or case report) through to completion. It is recommended that you contact Majka Hahn, CGSHE Program Coordinator (majka.hahn@cgshe.ubc.ca) with your specific research interests prior to applying. For further information, please click here.

BCCSU FLEX Projects

  • The BCCSU’s Flexible and Enhanced Learning (FLEX) projects are open to current UBC medical students with a strong interest in pursuing addiction medicine and/or epidemiology research. It is open to students at any site but must be completed onsite at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. FLEX activities include an introduction to research with vulnerable populations and clinical addiction medicine education.
  • Students can select one of the following FLEX projects:
    • Clinical addiction medicine
    • Drug use epidemiology
    • Harm reduction
    • HIV/HCV infection
    • Medical and non-medical cannabis use
    • Youth addiction treatment, care, and recovery
  • For further information – such as project deliverables, supervisors and how to apply – please click here.
  • To learn about UBC’s FLEX program, please click here (requires a CWL).

CGSHE FLEX Projects

  • The CGSHE’s Flexible and Enhanced Learning (FLEX) projects are open to current UBC medical students with a strong interest in pursuing gender equity and sexual health research. It is open to students at any site but are generally completed in-person at one of the CGSHE offices in Vancouver (either 1190 Hornby Street or 647 E Hastings Street). FLEX activities include an introduction to ethical research with marginalized communities and sexual health research education.
  • Students can select one of the following FLEX projects:
    • Reproductive Health & Reproductive Justice
    • Criminalization of Sexuality
    • Violence & Trauma-informed Care
    • Indigenous Sexual & Reproductive Health & Wellness
  • For further information – such as project deliverables, supervisors and how to apply – please click here.
  • To learn about UBC’s FLEX program, please click here (requires a CWL).

POST-GRADUATES

BCCSU Clinical and Research Addiction Fellowships (click for more information)

  • Addiction Medicine Fellowship: one-year clinical fellowship composed of a combination of inpatient, outpatient, and acute care rotations accompanied by a longitudinal interdisciplinary didactic curriculum – open to physician trainees from a variety of backgrounds who are interested in developing specialized skills in addiction medicine (accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada)
  • Addiction Nursing Fellowship: specialty clinical training in addiction management and related concurrent disorders in a variety of settings, along with activities that develop teaching, leadership, research and presentation skills – open to registered nurses and psychiatric nurses
  • Addiction Nurse Practitioner Fellowship: specialty clinical training preparing BC-licensed nurse practitioners to work in the field of addiction, as well as take leadership roles in academic and research settings
  • Addiction Pharmacy Fellowship: flexible program for pharmacist trainees who have a minimum of two years of experience, are eligible for licensure as a full pharmacist in good standing with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia, and wish to specialize in addiction treatment and care
  • Addiction Social Work Fellowship: specialized training for graduates with a Masters in Social Work that encompasses learning experiences across the continuum of substance use care – including inpatient, outpatient, withdrawal management, recovery oriented systems of care, concurrent disorders, innovative practice, harm reduction, and research

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

BCCSU’s Provincial Opioid Addiction Treatment and Support Program

  • This comprehensive, hybrid education and training program provides physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals with the tools for prescribing oral opioid agonist treatment (buprenorphine/naloxone, methadone and slow-release oral morphine) and injectable opioid agonist treatment (hydromorphone and diacetylmorphine).
  • Learn more about the program here. If you have any questions, please email bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca.

Rural Education Action Plan Program (REAP)

  • The BCCSU has partnered with Providence Healthcare (PHC) and the REAP to support the training needs of rural BC physicians interested in practicing addiction care. Physicians will gain experience across the emergency department as well as the medical, surgical and psychiatric wards at St. Paul’s Hospital, and may have the opportunity to gain experience in outpatient care through the Rapid Access Addiction Clinic.
  • For more information, please visit the BCCSU website or the REAP website, and contact Bastian Weitzel, Addiction Medicine Consult Team Coordinator if you have any questions (bweitzel@providencehealth.bc.ca).

Enhanced Skills Training

  • To help BC Family Physicians develop their clinical skills in addiction medicine, this program offers 3-6 months of clinical, hands-on learning opportunities in pharmacotherapy, inpatient and outpatient withdrawal management, evidence-based addiction treatment and chronic pain management. Opportunities to develop research and leadership skills are also available and encouraged in this program.
  • For more information, please visit the BCCSU website or the UBC Enhanced Skills Program website, and contact Bastian Weitzel, Addiction Medicine Consult Team Coordinator if you have any questions (bweitzel@providencehealth.bc.ca).

OPEN TO ALL

Addiction Care and Treatment Online Certificate

  • In partnership with UBC Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the UBC School of Nursing, the BCCSU offers a free online certificate course available to anyone who is interested in learning about the care and treatment of patients who struggle with substance use – including alcohol, tobacco, stimulant, cannabis and opioid use disorder.
  • For details about the certificate, please visit the BCCSU website or the UBC CPD website. If you have any questions, please email bccsu_education@bccsu.ubc.ca.