As part of its bachelor’s degree program in medicine, UNamur sends more than 150 third-year students on general practice rotations each year. To encourage these future practitioners to consider completing an internship in a rural area, far from the logistical amenities of the city, UNamur and the non-profit organization CAPMG are working together to establish host centers in these settings. Scientific studies have indeed demonstrated the impact of completing internships during medical school in underserved regions, with the aim of increasing and improving the success of future medical practices established in those areas. Setting up a training hub requires the presence of supervising physicians, housing, and adequate transportation solutions for the students. Thanks to the work of Aurélie Strickaert, PhD, and Dr. Dominique Henrion at the Faculty of Medicine, the project has already been implemented in the municipalities of Ciney, Rochefort, Ohey, Vresse-sur-Semois, and Viroinval in the province of Namur; Chimay in the Hainaut region; and Tintigny and Bouillon in the province of Luxembourg. In June 2026, 27 students will be sent to these facilities. This unique initiative will undergo a scientific evaluation in June 2026. 

Contact person: Aurélie Strickaert, PhD - aurelie.strickaert@unamur.be

The issue of underserved areas is central to UNamur’s motivation for establishing its specialized master’s program in general medicine, offered in partnership with UCLouvain. In addition to promoting rural areas, several initiatives are being developed in parallel: local and regional seminars closely aligned with students’ clinical practice, specialized training focused on rural settings, specific technical certifications, mentoring, and more. 

Contact person: Dr. Dominique Henrion - dominique.henrion@unamur.be

Sending general practice residents to rural areas requires the presence of volunteer preceptors. Various initiatives are being implemented to motivate prospective preceptors, particularly by highlighting the value of rural medicine, where daily practice differs from that in urban settings (more frequent emergency interventions and procedures, a role within the community, etc.). In this context, specialized and decentralized training programs are organized for general practitioners who commit to becoming preceptors. 

Contact person: Dr. Dominique Henrion dominique.henrion@unamur.be