FM/Emergency Med. Match (R-3)

Program Descriptions

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Updated September 19, 2011

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Residents of the Canadian Shield:
FM/EM-RoCS

Health Canada Emergency Medicine Residency Program Information for 2012/13 Training Year
(Return of Service Required)

Overview

The Health Canada funded Emergency Medicine Residency Program is a full 12-month program leading to a CFPC Certificate of Special Competence in Emergency Medicine (EM), which focuses on preparing residents to provide services in underserved communities in Ontario. The program is open to both family medicine residents and practising family physicians who wish to complete PGY3 training in EM to enhance their skills. In addition to the curriculum identified in the CFPC EM program, enhanced training to support practice in rural and remote communities will be provided.

The Health Canada positions require a two-year return of service (ROS). As well as matching to a program in a specific faculty/school of medicine, the applicant will be required to sign an ROS contract with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (the ministry) for service in an eligible community in a LHIN designated by the ministry for that faculty/school (see table and note below).

Specific communities and emergency departments (EDs) in the designated LHINs will be identified approximately six months prior to the completion of each PGY3 training year under the program. At that time, location matching will take place and each applicant will be expected to sign a Practice Location Agreement that will identify the specific community in which he or she will return service.

NOTE: The approximate number of eligible EDs in this table is preliminary (as of summer 2011) and will be updated annually since eligible EDs may change periodically in response to changing environments. The list of eligible EDs is used as a guideline only. It is based on a methodology developed by a working group with representatives of the ministry, faculties of medicine, ED LHIN Leads, HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency, and other stakeholders. The methodology uses quantitative and qualitative indicators to identify and prioritize EDs in communities that would benefit from services provided by CFPC-EM physicians. In summer 2011, no eligible ED sites were identified in Mississauga Halton, South East, or Toronto Central LHINs.

For further information concerning ROS requirements, please contact:

Program Officer
Physician Planning Unit, Health Human Resources Policy Branch
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Tel: (416) 327-8339 / E-mail: PPUProgramOfficer@Ontario.ca

Supporting Documents

1. Reference Letters
   Three letters are required
   • one from your primary Family Medicine supervisor
   • one from an Emergency Medicine preceptor
   • one letter of your choice
   • each letter must be accompanied by the "Referee Assessment of Applicant".
     Click here to access the "Referee assessment form"
     
     
2. Assessment by Program Director
   A letter from your Family Medicine Program Director which must be accompanied by the "Family Medicine Program Director's Assessment of Applicant".
   Click here to access the "Family medicine program / site director's assessment of applicant form".
   
   
3. Personal Letter
   A letter of intent describing yourself and your career interests is required.
   
   
4. Curriculum vitae

Special Application Instructions

Re-Entry candidates must apply via the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Review Process

Applications submitted after File Review has opened:
- will not be considered

References and other supporting documents which arrive after File Review has opened:
- will be considered

Interviews

Date(s) of Interview: November 18 (Sudbury); November 24 (Thunder Bay)

Invitation/ Notification Information:

Only applicants receiving an interview will be contacted, via e-mail.

Details regarding Interview:

Interviews are available in either Sudbury OR Thunder Bay for your convenience, regardless of your preference for residency location.

Program Information

Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Residents of the Canadian Shield: FM/EM-RoCS!

Welcome to Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Residents of the Canadian Shield (FM/EM-RoCS)! We offer a fully accredited Emergency Medicine training program leading to Certification of Special Competence in Emergency Medicine by the College of Family Physicians of Canada -- the CCFP(EM). Our intensive one-year curriculum is designed to provide CCFP graduates with the confidence and abilities to excel in any Canadian Emergency Department. We can in particular prepare physicians to practise in underserviced, rural and remote areas.

We function as one program, with two distinct sites: one in Sudbury and one in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Residents in our program can choose to study primarily in either Sudbury or Thunder Bay. Most rotations will then be completed in or near that "home base", as per each resident's preference. The clinical and academic curricula are entirely shared.

The Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) Emergency Department (ED) has the second-highest patient acuity rating in Ontario, combined with a patient volume of roughly 70,000 visits per year.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is now the busiest ED in all of Ontario, with around 100,000 visits per year and a geographically vast catchment area over 275,000.

Both sites are designated Trauma Centres and regional Base Hospitals for pre-hospital care. We are staffed by a mix of full- and part-time physicians, with both CCFP(EM) and FRCP(C) certifications. Our teachers are enthusiastic, and dedicated to encouraging learning.

Ontario's North is fertile territory for learning Emergency Medicine! Most procedures in our emergency departments are done by Emergency Physicians: complex laceration repair, fracture and dislocation reductions, airway management, ongoing resuscitations, etc. There is ample opportunity for residents to hone their procedural skills. Residents in our program work one-on-one with preceptors.

Our focus is on resident learning, not service provision.

The EM program is built on years of expertise, academic excellence, and a well-developed infrastructure. Ours is a program for physicians seeking a unique and challenging experience in Emergency Medicine.

Based on the resident's personal learning plan, the content, sequence of training and schedule of movement between teaching sites may vary. Residents are required to provide their own vehicle. It is strongly recommended that residents have a laptop computer.

Rotation Schedule

US Trauma Rotation
New in 2009, NOSM is pleased to offer a 4-week Trauma experience at R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland. During this high-volume rotation, residents will reinforce the basic knowledge needed for the resuscitation, diagnosis, and treatment of trauma patients, and develop an understanding of the continuum of care involved in the treatment of trauma victims.

Trauma Horizontal Elective
In addition to the Trauma rotation, our residents participate in Trauma Team call, during Emergency and off-service rotations, to further enhance their exposure to traumatized patients.

Emergency Ultrasound
The Sudbury Regional Hospital Emergency Department is a Centre of Excellence for Emergency Department Ultrasonography (EDUS). All FM/EM-RoCS residents, regardless of their 'home base', will have the internationally-recognized Emergency Department Echocardiography (EDE) course provided to them. We further have a program in place to ensure full independent practitioner certification in EDUS with the Canadian Emergency Ultrasound Society (CEUS): www.ceus.ca

Advanced Life Support Training
Acknowledging the increased independence and resuscitative skills required of Northern and rural Emergency physicians, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine provides funding for ACLS plus one other resuscitation course, such as ATLS or PALS, to all FM/EM-RoCS residents. These courses are often available at our teaching sites, particularly in Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

Pre-hospital Care/EMS
Residents are required to arrange a minimum of two ride-outs on land ambulance and one air-ambulance (helicopter) shift. All FM/EM-RoCS residents will be certified as base-hospital physicians to respond to calls from our local EMS.

Feedback & Evaluations

Residents are provided with written, formative feedback on a daily basis on most rotations, based on discussions with their preceptors. Direct Observation is also used. These assessments (of both clinical and academic performance) are compiled into oral and written summative evaluations at mid- and end-rotation. This allows residents maximal opportunities to improve their skills.

Academic Programming

Academic Rounds
Academic teaching is provided in weekly half-day rounds. The year is divided into thirteen, four-week blocks, each with a specified theme, eg Acute Coronary Syndromes, Toxicology, Urology, Trauma, etc. Each topic is explored using a problem-based, small-group learning format. The emphasis is on advanced management skills and evidence-based practice. Residents participate in Rounds on all rotations using online communications technology. There is also a Journal Club held once each block, to review developments in the EM literature and help develop critical appraisal skills.

Research Project
Residents are expected to complete a small research project during the year, for presentation at Research Day in May. Options include chart audits, surveys, practice guideline development or implementation, etc. Educational and statistical support is provided for this endeavour.

Educational Resources
The hospitals have a variety of clinical and educational software, and the major information sources relevant to Emergency Medicine. Residents also have access to the Northern Ontario Health Information Network library system.

Application process

Current residents can apply through the CaRMS PGY3 EM match during their second year of family medicine training. Family Physicians already in practice in Ontario may apply to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care as a re-entry candidate. A minimum of six positions are available each year. The program runs from July 1st to June 30th of each year. Our application requirements are listed above. We look forward to hearing from you!

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