The Department of Family Medicine at The University of Western Ontario is pleased to welcome applications from PGY2 Family Medicine Residents for a one-year PGY3 program in Family Medicine Child Health. This program received accreditation standing as a "New Program” by the College of Family Physicians of Canada as part of the Fall 2006 Postgraduate Accreditation.
This is the first formal residency program of its kind in Canada and will enable graduating family physicians to be leaders in child healthcare in their chosen rural communities. The clinical rotations and other elements of the residency program are a product of four years of development and research (both in Canada and abroad). The program first accepted a resident in 2007.
Program Objectives
The Child Health Residency will enable graduates to care for children in five main realms:
- Child-centered care
- Acute and critical illness
- Complex medical illness
- Recognition and action on "red flags”
- Mental and behavioural health care.
Program Location
This program is a collaboration between the Departments of Family Medicine (the lead department) and Paediatrics at The University of Western Ontario. The residency will involve clinical experiences in
London,
Ontario, as well as surrounding regional sites.
Program Structure
To achieve the objectives, residents will engage in a carefully selected series of clinical experiences, including two months of elective time. Residents will also follow one to two children with complex health challenges during the program. A series of formal learning sessions will complement the clinical experiences, including professional development aimed at enabling graduates to take on leadership roles in the future.
Two residents are currently taking this program in the integrated stream (in which their PGY2 Family Medicine and PGY3 FM Child Health programs are intermingled). We anticipate that residents in both streams will interact as they pursue their common learning goals.
The clinical rotation structure is as follows:
| Rural Community Paediatrics (hospital and clinic) |
2 months |
| Paediatric Acute Care (emergency/airway) |
2 months |
| Musculoskeletal (Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine) |
1 month |
| Critical Care / Patient Stabilization & Transport |
1 month |
| Community Paediatric Psychiatry |
1 month |
| Developmental Paediatrics |
1 month |
| Outpatient Paediatrics (Endocrine/Neurology/etc.) |
1 month |
| Clinical Teaching Unit Paediatrics |
1 month |
| Electives (at least one clinical) |
2 months |
*these may be subject to change as a result of continuous education quality improvement
Formal learning sessions will include participation in the RCPSC Paediatric Residents Orientation education series, selected Rounds within the Departments of Family Medicine and Paediatrics, specific sessions for residents in this program, and workshops presented by the Office of Faculty Development. Some objectives of the program will be met through the participation by residents in on-line educational activities.
Candidate Requirements
Second year family medicine residents in good standing may apply for this pilot program. Demonstrated interest in child health will be an asset.
Application Process
This traditional stream offering of the Child Health residency will follow the Department of Family Medicine’s application deadlines and processes that apply to all non-emergency PGY3 programs.
Applications must include:
- a one-page cover letter from the candidate,
- a maximum three-page curriculum vitae,
- a program director letter of support, and
- one reference letter from a supervising clinician.
All applicants will be contacted, and some will be offered the opportunity to interview for admission to the program. There is no fee for application. Please forward applications to the Program Coordinator at:
Ms. Lin Hill
Dept. of Family Medicine
Questions?
lin.hill@schulich.uwo.ca
2nd floor, Clinical Skills Bldg.
The University of Western Ontario
London, ON N6A 5C1