The McGill Rare Disease Interest Group (rareDIG), founded in September 2017, is the first medical student-run rare disease group in Canada and the third such group in North America. We aim to improve the care of patients with rare diseases by sensitising medical trainees. Our goals are to encourage medical students to understand the challenges patients with rare diseases face and adopt attitudes to reduce inequities faced by rare patients; spread awareness of rare diseases among medical students and the general public; create opportunities for patients to share experiences with future medical professionals; and encourage medical students at other universities to develop similar rare disease groups. Our activities include:
- patient perspective series
- journal clubs
- skill-building workshops
- shadowing experiences
- writing opportunities
Additionally, rareDIG’s Humans of Rare Disease project and Rare Disease Day, impact the broader community. Visit their website for more information.