Curriculum

THE FOLLOWING IS A GENERAL OVERVIEW ONLY. FULL CURRICULUM AND APPLICATION INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.carms.ca/eng/r1r3_univ_dalhousie_e.shtml

The only rotation away from home site is Saint John, New Brunswick, where housing is provided and library support is available.

The residency program is designed to fulfill the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for Cardiac Surgery. The program extends over a six year period as follows:

PGY-1-2
The first two years are core surgical training designed to provide solid medical training. This will prepare the resident for Part II of the MCCQE exam and the Principles of Surgery examination taken early in the PGY-3 year. The PGY-1 year consists of rotations in cardiac surgery, intensive care, infectious diseases, general surgery, pediatric surgery and emergency. The PGY-2 year includes 4 months on cardiology (1 month CCU, 1 month interventional catheterisation, 1 month echo and 1 month elective), 3 months of vascular surgery, 3 months thoracic surgery and 1 month of perfusion and cardiac anesthesia.

PGY-3-6
These years comply with the Royal College requirements for cardiac surgery and consist of:

• Six months general surgery
• Six months adult cardiac surgery
• Six months thoracic surgery
• Six months pediatric cardiac surgery
• 12 months senior cardiac surgery resident

In addition, there is one year for academic enrichment. In the majority of cases this consists of a research year which may lead to a MSc. or PhD via the Clinical Scientist program. For those considering an academic career, this can consist of a research year which may lead to a MSc or PhD via the Clinical Scientist program. Others may choose to use this year to develop an area of special clinical interest and expertise.

Research
All residents are expected to engage in research projects during their training. There is a complete clinical database of all cardiac surgical patients from 1995 to present and there are links established to administrative date/vital statistics, to allow for longterm follow-up. There are experienced clinical researchers among our staff. In addition, our expectation is that residents take at least one full year in either basic science investigation or formal outcomes research. We strongly encourage residents to obtain graduate research degrees (MSc or PhD) during their research time.

Seminars
During the two core years there is a weekly series of didactic teaching sessions leading to successful completion of Part II of the MCCQE and the Principles of Surgery exams. There is a weekly series of educational rounds throughout the year. An organized, weekly cardiac surgery training course is conducted throughout the academic year. In addition there is a regular journal club and a visiting professor series organized by the Maritime Heart Center. Educational rounds and seminars are conducted with cardiology at both the adult and pediatric centres and residents are encouraged to participate.