Education Sessions
The following external education sessions may be of interest to family physicians and primary care team members. Additional information about each session can be found via the registration link provided.
2026/2027 CLINICAL TEACHER SESSIONS
Earn 1.25 Mainpro credits for each session.
Wed, Sep 2 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Tips and Tricks For Teaching Family Medicine Clerkship Students
Presenters: Priyanka Hansraj
This orientation and clerkship update is intended for all urban and rural preceptors (novice and experienced) who teach Year 3 MD Program medical students in Family Medicine Clerkship.
The learning objectives for this session are as follows:
- Discuss clerkship structural and educational requirements and pertinent MD Program policies
- Review assessment of students and required clinical encounters
- Develop an approach to assessing and supporting a learner facing difficulty
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Priyanka Hansraj (MD, CCFP, FCFP) practices comprehensive family medicine in Edmonton, Alberta. She completed medical school at University of Toronto and postgraduate training at University of Alberta. She currently holds the role of Family Medicine Clerkship (FMED 546) Coordinator in MD Program at University of Alberta as well as Assistant Program Director (Undergraduate Clerkship) in the Department of Family Medicine at University of Alberta.
Mon, Sep 14 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Undergraduate Preceptor Orientation for LCE & FM Electives
Presenters: Lillian Au, David Pickle, Jordan Bekkema
This presentation is targeted to all clinical preceptors who teach medical students in their practice, particularly those who are thinking of starting to teach, and those who already teach LCE and family medicine elective students. A high level overview of the MD Program and how to set up your practice for clinical learners will be provided.
Introduction to having a learner in your practice (30 min)
Presenter: Lillian Au
Objectives
- Provide an overview of the Clinical Teacher Series & MD Program
- Discuss how to prepare your practice for a learner (orientation, learning plan, scheduling, managing your clinical encounter)
Longitudinal Clinical Experience (LCE) Orientation (15 min)
Presenter: David Pickle
Objectives
- Review objectives of LCE-FM
- Review the expectations of preceptors and students for the course.
- Allow an opportunity for questions and feedback from preceptors.
Preceptor Orientation to Family Medicine Electives (15 min)
Presenter: Jordan Bekkema
Objectives
- Provide preceptors with an overview of current elective offerings showcasing Family Medicine
- Review learning objectives and what to expect if having a learner for a family medicine elective
Speaker Biography:
Lillian Au is an associate professor & family physician working out of the Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre, and also works as the Director, Faculty Development with the Department of Family Medicine.
David Pickle is a community family physician as well as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Alberta and Coordinator for the LCE-FM. He has been involved in undergraduate teaching for nearly 15 years
Jordan Bekkema is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta and the Family Medicine Electives Lead. He has a full scope family practice in St Albert and teaches in Undergraduate Medical Education at the University of Alberta.
Thu, Oct 1, 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Managing the Clinical Encounter with Your Learner
Facilitator: Lillian Au
This presentation is targeted for all clinical teachers who are interested in optimizing their teaching of a medical student or resident while running a busy clinical practice.
Objectives:
- Review how to run your typical clinic day while incorporating clinical teaching and direct observation
- Discuss how to utilize effective questioning as a teaching tool
- Discuss how to incorporate clinical reasoning using SNAPPS in your teaching
Speaker Biography:
Lillian Au is an associate professor & family physician working out of the Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre. She also works as the Director, Faculty Development with the Department of Family Medicine.
Wed, Oct 21 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
From One-Time FIFE to Everyday Life: A Preceptor’s Approach to SOO Preparation
Presenter: Michael Yan
The Simulated Office Oral (SOO) examination is one half of the CFPC’s Certification Examination in Family Medicine, which graduating residents must pass before independently practicing family medicine in Canada. Practice and feedback are essential for ensuring success. As mock examiners, faculty advisors and preceptors can provide valuable coaching to residents. Faculty members who have not previously volunteered as examiners for the CCFP examination, or who would appreciate a refresher on the structure and marking of the SOO in its current virtual format, will gather insights and pointers on how to effectively coach their residents. Additionally, the workshop will encourage faculty to use the SOO as a tool for teaching patient centered clinical method starting in early residency.
Objectives:
- Discuss the background and purpose of the SOO examination
- Describe the structure and marking scheme of the SOO
- Apply elements of the SOO to teach patient centered clinical method starting in early residency rather than solely for exam preparation.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Michael Yan is an associate clinical professor and faculty advisor in the Department of Family Medicine as well as a clinical preceptor at the Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre. He runs the Leg Ulcer Clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. Dr. Yan has regularly participated in the CCFP SOO examination since 2003 in the roles of SOO examiner, SOO coordinator, virtual SOO Lead and served on an advisory committee for implementation of the current Virtual SOO examination.
Wed, Nov 18 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Giving (and receiving) feedback
Presenter: Lillian Au
Feedback is foundational in helping learners reach their learning goals. However, giving effective feedback can be challenging even for the most experienced preceptor and requires practice and skill.
Objectives:
- Define feedback and describe its importance in educating your learners in clinical practice
- Discuss challenges of giving and receiving feedback
- Develop strategies for providing effective feedback to your learner
Speaker Biography:
Lillian Au is an associate professor & family physician working out of the Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre. She also works as the Director, Faculty Development with the Department of Family Medicine.
Thu, Nov 26 2026
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Learner Assessment
Presenters: Ann Lee, Sam Horvey
Assessment should guide learning and support fair, defensible decisions. This interactive session explores formative and summative assessment, effective narrative comments, common sources of bias, and practical strategies for assessing learners with greater clarity and confidence.
Objectives:
- Differentiate between formative and summative assessment
- Construct effective narrative comments to support learning and decision making
- Identify common types of bias in assessment
Thu, Jan 14 2027
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Scribes & Safe Practice: Demystifying AI in Family Medicine Education
Presenter: Dr. Marco Mannarino
This session will provide an overview of AI Scribe use in the Family Medicine setting. There will be a focus on the Canadian regulatory landscape, as well as practical evaluation of AI Scribe services and tools. Participants will explore the critical requirement of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and identify resources to help with completion of the PIA. Participants will also learn potential issues with AI Scribe use, and learn to apply risk mitigation strategies.
By the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
- Summarize the regulatory framework governing the utilization of AI Scribe technology within Canada
- Evaluate an AI Scribe service to determine its suitability for your clinical practice, and its compliance with all regulatory requirements
- Describe the essential components of a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and identify relevant resources to assist with its completion
- Explain the potential pitfalls of AI Scribe deployment and implement strategies to mitigate associated risks
Biographic Summary:
Marco Mannarino is a family physician who has practiced in Northeast Edmonton for 16 years. He has an interest in leveraging technology responsibly to advance family practice, as well as managing the administrative and business aspects of medicine. He also serves as the Lead of Clinical Governance and Digital Innovation for the Department of Family Medicine.
Thu, Feb 4 2027
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Medical Learner in Difficulty
Presenters: Sam Horvey, Joanne Baergen, Lindsay Richier
Learners in difficulty require timely, structured, and compassionate approaches to ensure both learner success and patient safety. Through interactive case work and facilitated problem-solving, participants will practice diagnosing learner challenges, framing feedback, and creating action plans for clinical settings.
Objectives:
- Identify and diagnose possible reasons why medical learners may experience difficulty
- Discuss how to communicate in difficult learner situations
- Discuss action plans that can be done in your clinical practice
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Samantha Horvey, Director, Academic Clinical Services, Department of Family Medicine Dr. Joanne Baergen, Director, Postgraduate Curriculum, Department of Family Medicine Dr. Lindsay Richier, Resident Support Lead, Department of Family Medicine
Tue, March 23 2027
6:00 - 7:00 pm
A Field Guide for FieldNotes
Presenter: Nathan Turner
Have you ever stared at a blank feedback box in a FieldNote form and wondered "What am I supposed to write in here?" FieldNotes are the most common form of assessment in the family medicine residency program, but sometimes they can be intimidating. This session will help preceptors navigate the assessment jungle, cut through the jargon and successfully hunt down the elusive "simple and effective FieldNote".
Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the purposes of FieldNotes in resident assessment
- Explain how FieldNotes are used in the U of A family medicine program
- Demonstrate effective feedback delivery and FieldNote writing using case examples
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Nathan Turner is the Assessment Director for the family medicine residency program at the University of Alberta. He is a family doctor working at the Grey Nuns Family Medicine Centre and has a passion for teaching. Outside of medicine he enjoys playing board games, hiking, and travelling with his family.
Thu, April 15 2027
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Utilizing Program Expectation Tool for your FM Resident
Presenters: Sam Horvey, Michelle Morros, Joanne Baergen
The program expectations tool was created to support family medicine teachers and residents. Given the short duration of family medicine residency, it is important that learners are given progressing responsibility in order to be prepared for independent practice. The program expectation tool was designed to help with this progression. This session will explain the tool and demonstrate how it can be used in a clinical setting. This session is intended for those who are currently teaching, or plan to teach, at the postgraduate family medicine level.
Objectives:
- Identify the responsibilities of preceptors and learners at the various stages of residency
- Understand the clinical progression residents should demonstrate at different levels of training
- Apply the program expectation tool to case scenarios
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Samantha Horvey, Director, Academic Clinical Services, Department of Family Medicine Dr. Michelle Morros, Program Director, Residency Program, Department of Family Medicine Dr. Joanne Baergen, Director, Postgraduate Curriculum, Department of Family Medicine
Tue, May 11 2027
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Teaching Clinical Reasoning in the Office (besides saying ‘keep reading around your cases’
Presenter: Dr. Michelle Morros
Objectives:
- Discuss why we need to intentionally teach Clinical Reasoning.
- Review what Clinical Reasoning is using Nigel Flook’s CLINICAL REASONING MODEL.
- Discuss how to teach Clinical Reasoning skills including tips for observing, giving feedback and assessing your learner.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Michelle Morros is the Program Director - Residency Program at the Department of Family Medicine
Additional Faculty Development Resources
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (University of Alberta) Faculty Development Workplace/Classroom based teaching workshops
- Fundamentals Teaching Activities in Family Medicine: A Framework for Faculty Development
- College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC): For Teachers (undergraduate and postgraduate teaching resources)