A new inter-professional course preparing learners for life in rural communities.

The 'Professionals in Rural Practice' course was developed with the aim of preparing students enrolled in professional programs in Canada to become better equipped for the possible eventuality of professional work in a rural setting. To match the reality of living and working in a rural community, which by nature is interprofessional, the course designers were an interprofessional teaching team. In order to promote group cohesiveness the course included the participation of an interprofessional group of students and instructors from the disciplines of medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, teacher education, and theology. The format of the course included three-hour classes over an eight-week period and a two-day field experience in a rural community. The course utilized various experiential and interactive teaching and learning methods, along with a variety of assessment methods. Data were collected from student participants over two iterations of the course using a mixed methods approach. Results demonstrate that students value the interprofessional and experiential approach to learning and viewed this course as indispensable for gaining knowledge of other professions and preparation for rural practice. The data reveal important organizational and pedagogical considerations specific to interprofessional education, community based action research, and the unique interprofessional nature of training for life and work in a rural community. This study also indicates the potential value of further longitudinal study of participants in this course. Key words: Canada, community based action research, education, interdisciplinary, interprofessional.

Preparing professionals from a wide range of disciplines for life and work in rural and small communities.

A new inter-professional subject has been offered at a Canadian university, which examines issues related to professionals' integrating into rural practice; understanding the history and geography of rural communities and important issues affecting life in rural settings.

Women living with ovarian cancer: dealing with an early death.

Our intent to explore the emotion of anger in women living with ovarian cancer revealed a basic social concern of "dealing with an early death." The findings of this grounded theory study also identified the core variable of "finding meaning in life" as assisting the nine women in dealing with an early death. The categories of hope and physical wellness influenced the women's search for meaning after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several action and interactional coping strategies were identified as positive coping behaviors. The consequences of finding meaning in life was a perception of well-being defined by the women as satisfaction with their lives. Conversely, an inability to find meaning in life resulted in feelings of despair. The women's perceptions of well-being were not static and could fluctuate as they lived with ovarian cancer. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.