Volunteering can open doors and create life-changing experiences. For premed students, it's a fantastic way to gain valuable insights, develop essential skills, and stand out to admissions officers. Here's why you should consider volunteering and how to navigate potential challenges.

Pros:

1. Develop essential skills: Volunteering equips you with vital skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, all of which are crucial for success in medical school and beyond.
2. Gain real-world experiences: Engage in hands-on experiences in healthcare settings, allowing you to observe medical professionals and better understand the realities of the field.
3. Enhance your resume: A strong volunteering record demonstrates your dedication, motivation, and passion for medicine, setting you apart from the competition.
4. Expand your network: Connect with professionals and fellow volunteers who can offer invaluable advice, support, and potential job opportunities in the future.
5. Personal growth: Volunteering fosters empathy, compassion, and understanding, traits that are essential for a successful medical career.

Cons:

1. Time commitment: Balancing volunteering with academic work and other responsibilities can be challenging. Prioritize and manage your time effectively to avoid burnout.
2. Finding the right opportunity: Seek out meaningful and relevant opportunities that align with your interests and goals. Research thoroughly and reach out to professionals in the field for guidance.

Embrace the transformative power of volunteering and let it shape your future in medicine. You'll develop essential skills, gain valuable experiences, and stand out in the admissions process, all while making a positive impact on the lives of others.

"Great book on ethical behaviour and compassionate medicine" - Ben

Many MMI stations will call upon the applicant to propose a health policy that would improve the country. Knowing more about government initiatives to reduce health inequities will always be beneficial, especially with regards to high-yield topics like Indigenous health, rural health, and homelessness. I would recommend checking out all of the links under the "Social development" heading. My personal favourite is the "Housing First" approach under the Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy link; it's a radical but convincing way to end homelessness in Canada while improving social capital and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

Canada's Policy and Programs for Employment and Social Development encompass a wide range of initiatives aimed at addressing health inequities and promoting social development. These policies and programs can help premed students prepare as future physicians by increasing their awareness of the challenges faced by various communities, including Indigenous populations, rural residents, and homeless individuals.

By exploring the links under the "Social development" heading, premed students can gain a deeper understanding of government initiatives that seek to reduce health disparities and improve social conditions for vulnerable populations. For instance, the "Housing First" approach under the Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy is a compelling solution to address homelessness while enhancing social capital and resources for people experiencing homelessness.

In addition to homelessness strategies, other programs focus on skills and employment, learning, labor, income security, and service networks supporting government departments. By familiarizing themselves with these programs and policies, premed students can better appreciate the broader context of healthcare and social determinants of health, which will allow them to become more informed and compassionate physicians.

Furthermore, premed students can use their knowledge of these policies and programs during MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) stations, where they may be asked to propose health policies to improve the country. By understanding existing initiatives, students can develop well-informed and relevant policy suggestions, demonstrating their engagement with pressing healthcare issues and their commitment to social justice and health equity. Overall, Canada's Policy and Programs for Employment and Social Development provide essential context for premed students as they prepare for their future roles as healthcare professionals.