The Niagara Region Volunteer Patient Program supports the learning objectives of Healthcare and Community Studies for three learning institutions:

• Niagara College (Welland Campus)
• Brock University
• McMaster University (Niagara region campus)

The program will send volunteer patients (VPs) to these institutional campuses or to nearby participating sites such as hospitals. A reliable source of transportation is essential for this work.

The program is involved in the training of numerous professions, including medicine, nursing, paramedicine, personal support work, dental care, occupational therapy, policing and early childhood education. A VP may be involved in the training of any or all of these professions.

A VP will be asked share his or her medical background in a teaching session in order to help students practice their interviewing skills. A VP may also be involved in basic physical examinations such as blood-pressure taking, reflexes and heart exams. If you have any medical conditions it may actually enhance the experience for the student.

If you are interested in becoming a VP in the Niagara area, please contact us at pem@mcmaster.ca

If you would like to discuss the possibilities of including VPs into your teaching, please contact pem@mcmaster.ca