Pediatric Residency | Pediatrics

The Department of Pediatrics at Queen's includes departmental academic general pediatricians, community consultant pediatricians, and academic subspecialists. Particular departmental strengths include general pediatrics, behavioural and developmental pediatrics, neonatology and genetics. Our philosophy is geared towards providing excellent pediatric training for those planning an eventual career in consultant general pediatrics, academic general pediatrics, or subspecialty pediatrics.

The department's commitment towards the residency program is reflected not only in the provision of training environments with wide ranging clinical opportunities, but also in the comprehensive seminar program. Excellent hands-on broad ranging clinical opportunities at Queen's are enhanced by the specific subspecialty selectives at CHEO, in Ottawa.

The relatively small size of the pediatric program allows the development of close working, supportive relationships among the trainees in the program and with the members of the department. Each resident is assured exposure to a wide diversity and optimal number of patients by virtue of the program's size.

Our program is committed to providing each trainee with pediatric experiences individualized to his/her personal career goals. By the end of their training, residents have had the opportunity to develop the confidence and skills needed to practice general pediatrics expertly in any sized community.

Our training sites are located at Kingston General Hospital (KGH), Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston (HDH), Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Moose Factory General Hospital for native children, located in James Bay Region, Northern Ontario.

Residency Program

Our residency program consists of a 2 year curriculum for weekly academic half-day sessions. This includes content from all CanMEDS roles, web-based seminars and practices MCQ/SAQ exams.

Mock oral examinations (observed History/Physical Examination) are held formally twice yearly for all residents. In addition, practice OSCE examinations are held twice a year, as preparation/practice for the Royal College exam in pediatrics. This program takes advantage of the Clinical Education Centre and the Standardized Patient Program at Queen's University. Participation in the American Board of Pediatrics In-training examination will take place every July.

Overview of Training

PGY-1

During the first year, the resident will experience an overview of general pediatrics, including In-Patient, Ambulatory, Newborn, Emergency, Community Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, and Ortho-ENT.

Selectives - 2 months (CHEO)

PGY-2

Now that the trainee has acquired basic knowledge of the field of general pediatrics, he/she moves through a variety of subspecialty experiences designed to allow a more in-depth exploration of special areas of pediatrics. The trainee will also begin to learn how to manage in-patients who have more serious illnesses. In order to assure continued integration of knowledge in different areas of pediatrics, many of our subspecialty rotations combine more than one subspecialty at the same time. For combined rotations, this also allows a longer experience in each than would be possible in single subspecialty one month rotations. At the PGY-2 level, the resident not only works both in clinics and with in-patients, but performs a largely consultant role. In each subspecialty area, the trainee is responsible to one or more pediatric subspecialists who provide ongoing supervision and teaching. This year encourages the development of a sense of critical judgment and increasing self-confidence in management of pediatric conditions and includes two months of critical care in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Selectives - 1- 2 months (CHEO)

PGY-3

This experience constitutes a senior supervisory year during which the trainee is regularly entrusted with management of ward and/or ambulatory patients including complex problems in pediatrics with responsibility for the supervision of more junior trainees. The year includes supervisory roles on the in-patient pediatrics service, and pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. Further experience in areas of subspecialty pediatrics not previously attained is also provided: Child psychiatry, community rotations, research month and elective time.

During the three core years, increasing responsibility for patient care is allowed both during rotations and on the call schedule. Experiences which will help the resident choose an area of practice or specialization - or will assist in the actual performance of subsequent practice - are offered, including various selective experiences totaling 6 in 3 core years. During all three years, the resident is evaluated both during and at the end of each rotation, with a written evaluation at the conclusion of the rotation which is discussed with the rotation supervisor. The resident evaluation coordinator and postgraduate education committee provide a half yearly and annual review of each resident's performance. Problems discovered during training are discussed with the trainee and where necessary, programs to improve skills or resolve problems are made available. Special evaluations are also utilized as detailed later.

Selectives - 2 months (1 month CHEO)

PGY-4

This has recently changed to a Junior Faculty Year, where the 4th year residents collaborate as a small, independent faculty whose charge it is to cover the hospital, clinical and educational experiences to meet his or her goals. In addition, there is a Chief Resident clinic, which, in collaboration with staff, allows PGY4's the opportunity to see consults as well as continued patient care throughout the year.

Outside electives - 2-3 months

Resident Research

Participation in a scholarly research project is a Royal College requirement. Residents from Queen’s have been successful in many research projects. Residents have presented at national and international pediatric conferences with their research, including the annual CPS conference and PAS.

Residents are required to participate in and complete a research project. A mentor is assigned to each resident to assist in this process. Training in research methodology is provided in first year.

All residents will be expected to present at the annual Pediatric Research Day. This will be held as a forum for presentation and discussion of resident research projects, as well as any other basic science or clinical projects affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics. Presentation should be made to the other residents and staff, plus an expert panel consisting of a moderator, prominent in research and a statistician or epidemiologist to critique the project methodology, statistical analysis, tabulation of results and appropriateness of the conclusions.

Annual participation is mandatory. Ongoing work such as literature reviews or interim results can be presented by residents who have not completed their projects. A prize will be awarded to the resident with the best presentation.

Application Information and Eligibility

We have 4 CMG spots and 1 IMG spot available through CaRMS. Please see program description at www.carms.ca for more information and eligibility.

Subspecialty Training in Pediatrics

There are no opportunities for subspecialty training in pediatrics at Queen’s. However, many of our residents have been successful in getting in to their subspeciality of choice.

Off-Service Resident Information

Welcome to Pediatrics at Queen’s University.

Our program is comprised of a small, close-knit group of residents and faculty to provide excellent pediatric care in South-Eastern Ontario. Being a primarily resident composed program, our trainees work exclusively alongside staff and have the opportunity to be at the forefront of every clinical experience. Our primary goal is to train excellent general pediatricians, who are equipped to deliver care no matter where they wish to practice. We have residents from family medicine, pathology, obstetrics/gynecology, anesthesia, emergency medicine and psychiatry who do rotations with us. Residents who wish to pursue subspecialty training are also well prepared to be competitive in whatever area their interests take them.

We look forward to welcoming you to our group and are happy to share more about our program, and answer any questions that you may have.