Physicians, doctors-to-be help out at Winnipeg shelter

Resident physicians and University of Manitoba medical students lent a helping hand to those in need at Siloam Mission Wednesday.

"There's a growing attention towards how the socio-economic factors of a person's life really determine their health," said Dr. Leslie Anderson.

Anderson and a group of her peers spent the day at the Winnipeg shelter learning first-hand what goes into making the place run, and who is on the receiving end of its services.

"We wanted to have a better understanding of our patients how they are in the community, how they live so that we can treat them much better whenhey come into us," Anderson, who is theco-president of the Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba, told CBC News.

The event also gave the medical health professionalsa chance to give back, Anderson said.

"I think it does increase our understanding a lot and really connects us to the community, because we are an integral part of the community," Anderson said, adding the event was also "a lot of fun."

"We're having a great time. It's really amazing to meet people [at Siloam Mission] and see how the operation runs. It's an amazing service and it's wonderful that we have this in our community."

The event was part of ResidentAwareness Week, a national program meant to help introduce different Canadian populations to the role resident doctorsplay in the health-care system.