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McMaster General Surgery 101

Here are some high-yield facts about our program...

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  • We are a moderate-to-large residency program with approximately 50 residents at present.

  • Residents spend the bulk of their training rotating through 4 main hospitals in Hamilton, which are all within 15 minutes driving distance from each other.

  • The program is very flexible to allow for rotations tailored to meet individual learning needs and Royal College certification requirements.

  • Our graduating residents are prepared for and pursue a wide range of endeavours, from fellowship training to direct transition to practice, taking up positions in remote hospitals to academic training centers. 

  • Our program functions in an atmosphere of collaboration where all participants contribute to the success of the program.

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We encourage you to scroll down for more details about the structure of our program.

Image by GV Chana

Program Curriculum

This residency program is 5 years in duration. Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard. We have recently adopted a competency by design framework.

 

Years 1 and 2 comprise the Surgical Foundations Program. At the completion of the Surgical Foundations Program, all candidates will be regarded as eligible to take the Principles of Surgery (POS) Examination. This exam must be successfully completed prior to applying for the final examinations at the end of residency.

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PGY1

  • 8 blocks General Surgery (2 of these are on Trauma/ACS at Lead Trauma site)

  • 1 block 'Rookie Camp/Transition to Residency'

  • 2 blocks Pediatric Surgery

  • 1 block CTU or Peri-op Medicine 

  • 1 block ER (or 2nd block of Medicine)

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PGY2 

  • 7 blocks General Surgery, including 3 blocks Acute Care Surgery

  • 3 blocks GI Endoscopy

  • 3 blocks ICU

 

PGY3/4

23 blocks structured to support resident's career goals. Includes 2 blocks of community surgery for all, additional blocks of community surgery or exploration of fellowship/subspecialty interest, rotations in other surgical subspecialties (i.e. Thoracic Surgery, Vascular, Head & Neck, Urology, Plastics, etc.), Research and Global Surgery. Includes 4 blocks of ACS.

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PGY4/5

14 blocks of 'Chief Residency' starting in block 11 of PGY4. Rotations are 3-4 blocks each and are chosen based on learning needs/career goals. Includes 1 block of study time for written component of RCPSC Certification Exam.  2 blocks of 'Transition to Practice'. Clinical activities assigned that support needs for entering practice or preparing for fellowship. Includes time to prepare for RCPSC Applied (oral) exam.

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Longitudinal Curriculum

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We have a comprehensive formal academic curriculum which includes:

  • Weekly General Surgery seminars 

    • PGY1 Surgical Foundations

    • PGY2/3 level-specific General Surgery topics

    • PGY4/5 level-specific General Surgery topics

  • Robust simulation activities/courses

    • ATLS

    • Critical Resource Management

    • CMAS basic and advanced

    • ATOM

    • GI endoscopy

  • PGME-required events and regional- and site-based rounds

  • Weekly site teaching and journal clubs

 

Of note, our rotations and longitudinal curriculum are reassessed and updated annually, with significant input from the resident body. 

Image by GV Chana

Hospital Sites

The McMaster General Surgery Residency program is based in Hamilton, ON, with a satellite program in Niagara, ON. Residents in Hamilton rotate through four main hospitals across two hospital systems. Hamilton Health Sciences includes the Hamilton General Hospital (HGH), Juravinski Hospital (JH) and McMaster University Medical Center (MUMC). St. Joseph's Healthcare (SJH) is the second hospital system and fourth main hospital in the city.

 

  • MUMC - This has become the regional pediatric hospital. Our junior residents complete their core Pediatric Surgery rotations here. 

  • HGH - The 'General' is our regional trauma centre, and is also home to our Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Neurosurgery programs. Our residents rotate here for ACS, Trauma, elective General Surgery, ICU and other surgical specialties.

  • JH - The 'Jurv' is home to the regional cancer center (ie. Juravinski Cancer Center). Residents experience a wide variety of General Surgery subspecialty training here, including Hepatobiliary, Colorectal and Breast Surgery, as well as a busy ACS service. 

  • SJH - 'Joe's' is the site of the regional bariatric program and has a strong focus in Minimally Invasive Surgery. We are fortunate to have access to the Center for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS), which offers access to resources to enhance our laparoscopic and endoscopic skills. Regional programs in Thoracic Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery and Nephrology are also located here.

 

There are many hospitals that support our community rotations. There are several locally and within the broader region, including our satellite campuses in Niagara (site of our Niagara residency program) and Kitchener-Waterloo. However, we are able to facilitate community rotations in virtually any location, and our residents have completed rotations in every province in Canada. 

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