General Rural Internal Medicine

The GRIM network connects rurally minded General Internal Medicine (GIM) physicians from across BC. Co-led by Dr. Ian Warbrick and Dr. Denise Jaworsky, the network fosters mentorship, builds collaborative structures, and works to improve rural internal medicine support systems including workforce planning, locum coordination, and enhanced critical skills training. The project also responds to the growing recognition that rural communities need better access to specialist care—and that supporting rural internists is an important part of addressing that gap.

“We came together to build something that didn’t exist—space for rural internists to share, support, and strengthen rural medicine in BC.”

Drs. Ian Warbrick and Denise Jaworsky

Achievements

Building the Network

In July 2024, the inaugural GRIM meeting brought together 13 General Internists from across BC—most of whom were actively practicing in rural settings. This meeting helped identify shared priorities and set the groundwork for quarterly virtual gatherings to maintain connection and momentum.

Advancing Training & Mentorship

During 2024, the GRIM team supported Dr. Jesse Tinker in developing enhanced rural critical care training and resource planning to better align internist placements in rural communities. This also included formalising support for Return of Service residents and early-career internists through mentorship and professional development—laying the groundwork for more sustainable rural specialist practice.

Explore the numbers

13 internists

attended the inaugural meeting

85% attendees

practicing in full-time rural roles

3 major priorities identified

mentorship, locum pool development, and training support

1 gathering

for Rural Internal Medicine Interest Night hosted for UBC residents

Making a Difference

Participants valued the GRIM network as the first formalised structure in BC focused specifically on rural GIM. The project laid the groundwork for coordinated mentoring and locum sharing, with potential long-term impact on sustainability and equity of rural specialist care. In communities where access to specialists remains uneven, GRIM is helping create the conditions for more stable and connected internal medicine support.

Plans for the Future

In 2025, the GRIM team plan to host a second interest night to engage and inform residents. They will also work on developing and distributing detailed community profiles to showcase rural opportunities, send an update letter to members highlighting recent initiatives and upcoming plans, and continue to expand the network’s reach and locum database to strengthen rural healthcare support.