Undergraduate training opportunities
Pediatric endocrinology is an important area of education for medical students. Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in pediatrics. Assessment of growth is fundamental to pediatric medicine and interplays with each and every system of the body.
Several members of our Pediatric Endocrinology faculty and our residents and fellows are involved in the Endocrine Block at the University of Ottawa, providing lectures and serving as Case Based Learning (CBL) tutors both in the English and French streams.
There is almost always a medical student on a selective or elective rotation in Pediatric Endocrinology, which consists primarily of attending outpatient clinics. Students also have the opportunity to participate in inpatient consults and rounds with the residents, fellows and faculty for patients either admitted or consulted to endocrinology. This provides a broad exposure to both acute and chronic care in endocrinology.
Each week of the rotation, time is dedicated for formal teaching with the on-service endocrinologist or with the fellow and residents on service. Topics include: growth, puberty, adrenal insufficiency and hypoglycemia.
A unique opportunity for medical students is the chance to attend diabetes camp for up to two weeks in August. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about diabetes by spending time with children and youth who have type 1 diabetes, experiencing how they manage their condition and making hundreds of insulin adjustment decisions.
Postgraduate training program
The division of endocrinology offers several opportunities for postgraduate training including:
Pediatric Endocrinology Residency Program
In coordination with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, this program has full accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. All Canadian trainees satisfactorily completing the program are eligible candidates for the Royal College Pediatric Endocrinology examination.
Residents must have completed their pediatric training in an approved institution to be eligible for this program.
Upon completion of the two-year Pediatric Endocrinology Subspecialty Residency program, trainees will have the clinical skills necessary to diagnose and manage endocrinologic conditions in children, be knowledgeable to teach at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and have the basic skills required to conduct clinical and/or laboratory research.
Pediatric Endocrinology Clinical Fellowship Program
Clinical fellowships in pediatric endocrinology are offered to international graduates. The clinical fellowships follow a similar structure to the pediatric residency program though can be tailored to the fellow’s goals and duration of the training program.
Clinical fellows may qualify for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Subspecialty Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP) route to exam eligibility if they have completed the full two-year Pediatric Endocrinology residency training program.
Pediatric Endocrinology Research Fellowship
Graduates of the pediatric endocrinology residency program may choose to complete a third year of training to allow for further development of research skills required to perform independent research.
Genetic and Metabolic Bone Disease Fellowship Both clinical and research fellowships in Genetic and Metabolic Bone Disease are offered at CHEO. Dr. Ward is world renowned for her clinical and research work within the field of pediatric bone disease and leads the bone fellowship program.
Pediatric Endocrinology Rotations for Postgraduate Trainees
Members of the Division of Endocrinology provide postgraduate training to interested trainees, both as an integral part of general pediatric residency training as well as to interested applicants as part of their elective. Specific areas covered during these rotations include but are not limited to:
- Type 1 Diabetes
- General endocrinology
- Obesity and lipid disorders
- Gender diversity
Rounds and Teaching
A comprehensive Academic Half Day curriculum has been designed to cover all major topics within pediatric endocrinology and metabolism.
The curriculum includes both pediatric endocrinology and joint pediatric and adult endocrinology sessions. A weekly teaching session about specific pediatric endocrinology topics occurs for all house staff and is led by the faculty or pediatric endocrinology fellow or resident. Weekly pediatric endocrinology rounds include discussion of interesting inpatients and outpatients and teaching through a journal club or an evidence-based topic review.
Residents are encouraged to attend weekly city-wide endocrinology rounds, quarterly DSD rounds, and relevant pediatric gynecology rounds.
Teaching of non-medical expert CanMEDS roles is provided with workshops within the Academic Half Day curriculum and during pediatric subspecialty resident retreats. Residents are encouraged to attend research methodology seminars hosted by the CHEO RI.
