The key to preparation is to know yourself as a person, your values, your priorities. What do you want from a program? Do they provide what you need to help you achieve success as a physician? Be sure to consider the city, proximity to family, supports and long-term goals. Practice the interview out loud with mentors, supervisors, and colleagues. Prepare to be concise with broad questions, try to structure your answer, have examples of common situations the interviewer may ask, research the program and have questions for the program ready for the end of the interview and/or at the meet and greet.

Elective opportunities are available and further details may be found on the UGME Electives and PGME Electives pages. Should you have any further inquiries about the elective opportunities you may contact the program administrator. We look forward to meeting and working with you on your elective!

Please note that we do not require applicants to have done onsite electives. We do, however, strongly encourage applicants to have completed at least one Internal Medicine based elective.

Note, too, that resident observer-ships are not available in the Internal Medicine Specialty.

We have strong, supportive, caring, invested top notch staff and residents who are all truly happy and the friendliest ever. The program is resident-focused to ensure engagement across all areas. Our incredibly strong General Internal Medicine (GIM) group provides oversight with early and graded responsibility. You will form a stellar kinship with other trainees and with other programs here at Ottawa.

We also offer:

• excellent patient volume, variety, and complexity which prepares trainees very well for entry into the subspecialty programs
• direct access to world class innovation and research (OHRI, DIME, Heart Institute)
• a large, state-of-the-art Skills and Simulation Centre accessible to all programs/learners
• formal mentorship at all levels (Medical Students, Residents, Staff)
• numerous opportunities for teaching at all levels (PSD, PBL, CTU….).
   

Our residents gain practical experience at inpatient clinical teaching units (CTUs) alongside general internists. Subspecialty rotations and dedicated ambulatory care rotations provide valuable ambulatory care experience. Selective and elective rotations allow for flexibility for various career paths in both community and academic environments. The program is designed to provide increasing responsibility to the trainee through all years.

PGY-1

As a PGY1, the trainee is assigned to inpatient units under the supervision of a senior resident and an attending GIM physician. It is composed of 20 weeks of general internal medicine, 4 weeks of cardiology, 4 weeks of ICU and 4 weeks of emergency medicine are mandatory. The remainder of the rotations (20 weeks), in blocks of 4 weeks increments, of any of the following subspecialty rotations: endocrinology, geriatrics, hematology, nephrology, neurology, medical oncology, palliative medicine and rheumatology.

PGY-2 to 3

The senior medicine resident (SMR) role is provided by a PGY 2 or PGY 3 resident. SMRs supervise medical students and PGY1s from IM and those rotating from other services for their IM experience.

PGY-2 residents complete 16 weeks of General Internal Medicine as senior resident on one of the CTUs and/or as a senior on the General Medicine Consult service, 8 weeks of electives (community, external, research), 4 weeks of geriatrics, palliative and critical care, and 12 weeks of subspecialty rotations.

The PGY-3 year, the resident also gains experience and responsibility by participating in 16 weeks of GIM (consultation/triage service and/or CTU) ambulatory care rotation, and a community based General Internal Medicine rotation. This year also consists of 4 weeks of elective (community, external, research), critical care, and 20 weeks in subspecialty rotations.

One 4-week rotation in Community GIM and one 4-week Ambulatory GIM rotation are completed during the PGY2/3 year.

Residents in IM at U of O are required to complete at least one research project during their training. The Faculty in the Department of Medicine are very supportive of resident research. Faculty research activities are collated and provided to residents as a resource. The Department of Medicine is proud to have a Director of resident research to assist in developing the curriculum to promote and mentor residents to achieve excellence in research.

In July and August, protected academic time is available to PGY2 and PGY3 residents, with approved projects, so that they may work on their scholarly activities. Residents are expected to present at least one research project at the Department of Medicine’s Annual Research Day during their training. There is also an opportunity for a dedicated research block during training to promote scholarly endeavors.

A structured, protected, formal teaching schedule exists for all IM trainees. This includes CTU noon hour rounds, Medical Grand Rounds, M&M rounds, Resident Journal Club and Landmark Trials, several simulation curricula (POCUS, ACLS, ACES, OSCE), dedicated half day learning targeted uniquely for each level of trainee among other sessions such as Royal College preparation for the R3. These sessions are taught by our clinical staff who have been identified as leaders in education/clinical teaching. Access to NEJM Knowledge Plus® and other NEJM perks for all IM trainees. Access to our state-of-the-art Skills and Simulation Centre. There are numerous opportunities to develop and hone skills in teaching and mentorship at the PGME and UGME levels.

Program trainees who attend conference(s) and/or present their scholarly work may apply for financial support annually. Formal educational seminars are also provided through the postgraduate medical education office including sessions on conflict resolution skills, Residents as Leaders, and Residents as Teachers skills. In addition, there are funds for electives, upon application that trainees may access.

Each trainee is evaluated by end of rotation evaluations (ITERs), 360-degree evaluations, an annual Comprehensive OSCE Examination, a Procedural Skills OSCE, EPAs via the Competency Based Education, observed clinical assessment tools (such as the OCAT for the ambulatory rotation) and clinical portions of subspecialty rotations will be utilized for review with Academic Coaches and the Competence Committee. Training for the new CBD will occur for all new trainees entering the program as well as ongoing support.

This is a big deal for us! We have an annual Department of Medicine (DoM) Recognition Ceremony where learners and staff alike are recognized for their contributions, innovation, etc. It is one of our biggest events for DoM. The University also has a Faculty of Medicine Awards Ceremony that awards staff, trainees, students for all the great things they do. Our DoM has a weekly newsletter to feature key events, news, announcements and successes. We regularly highlight trainee achievements on Twitter and Instagram .. In addition, the IM program celebrates our graduating R3s in a recognition event just for them and serves as a great venue to award our trainees from all levels awards in the CanMeds roles and other important awards such as “going the extra mile”, “mentor”, “innovation”, etc.

Ottawa is a great city that is not only bilingual but wonderfully multicultural, offering endless opportunities for foodies, night life, outdoor enthusiasts, cultural festivals and fairs, performing arts, museums and so much more. Our program has an annual retreat to Tremblant for all IM trainees. The DoM puts on the Winter Party each January that is attended by staff, trainees, administrative personal and their guests. PARO also has several events to promote wellness and balance that is fully supported by the program. Many opportunities to trainees to become involved are also available. The program also funds the weekly sports night where trainees can go and join others in activities such as soccer, volleyball, etc. TOH also has a GoodLife gym area at the General with staff rates to promote physical activity and wellness. We also hold “Christmas Grand Rounds” that is led by the IM resident body and is lighthearted “roast” of the GIM personnel. Other events such as the R3 Farewell  Dinner/Party, R3 Match Party, R1 welcome Night,  R1 match socials, R2 Career Night, etc.

We have mandatory mentorship with staff, as well as mentorship with more senior residents to help answer questions and provide guidance.  Access to all the major medicine subspecialties and staff who have an open-door policy to discuss your career, (sub) specialty, and training.  Financial support for each resident to attend or present at conferences if available. Formal preparation series for CaRMS medicine subspecialty match, yearly career night to allow for networking with subspecialty program directors in a more informal, relaxed setting, and more as part of our Career Development Program.