"The University is unique in that it has a broad array of health science programs located in relatively close proximity on campus" states Liz Harrison, Associate Dean of Physical Therapy and Inter-professional Health Sciences Education Programs. "The space will contribute to an environment that supports high quality under-graduate and graduate programming for health professional students. The flexible design of this space will accommodate a variety of teaching needs including clinical labs as well as large and small classrooms."

The Clinical Learning Resource Center is a simulated clinic that provides students from all health disciplines the opportunity to learn together in an inter-professional environment.

"The Clinical Learning Resource Center will provide an opportunity for nursing faculty and students to come together in a collaborative learning environment" states Joan Sawatzky, Acting Dean of the College of Nursing. "In addition we will be able to build on our relationships with other health disciplines."

The Clinical Learning Resource Center opened to students and faculty in the fall of 2006. The newly constructed space integrates well with the Simulated Clinical Care Area located in Ellis Hall of the Royal University Hospital and provides students with a state of the art learning facility. The anticipated demand for interim clinical space will come from a number of health science programs, as well as from a new and increasing spectrum of inter-professional clinical learning opportunities.

"Health care needs to have a team approach," states Dennis Gorecki, Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. "To provide the best care for patients, pharmacists, nurses, physical therapists, physicians and dietitians need to know how to work together. The Clinical Learning Resource Center gives students the opportunity to learn this collaborative approach to health care."

"The faculty and students making use of the clinic have found it an excellent space to work in," says Debbie Briere, Manager of the Clinical Learning Resource Center. "Students are able to learn in a setting that is exactly like a regular practicing clinic. This builds on their confidence and will prepare them for the real world."

At the completion of the future Academic Health Science Building in 2010, the Interim Clinical Learning Resource Center space facilities will be replaced by permanent clinical learning facilities.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Peter Krebs
Administrative Officer
Inter-Professional Health Sciences Office
Office of the Provost & Vice President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2637
e-mail: peter.krebs@usask.ca

or

Annette Horvath
Alumni/Communications Officer
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8864
e-mail: annette.horvath@usask.ca