Program Structure
This is a five-year post-MD program. The primary aim of the program is to train general surgeons within the goals and objectives set out by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This includes meeting the goals of a medical expert/clinical decision maker, as well the other competencies defined by CanMEDS, namely Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional. The residency training program is delivered within clinical teaching units at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), as well as other clinical facilities associated with the University of Ottawa. Training also takes place at the University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre.
The first year (PGY-1) 10 blocks are spent in General Surgery with 4 on ACS as well as early exposure to subspecialty services such as Colorectal Surgery, Surgical Oncology, HPB, and Breast Oncology. Non-surgical specialties including Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Gastroenterology. Residents in PGY-1 must also complete the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Provider Course and Surgical Foundations.
In second year (PGY-2), 8 blocks are spent in General Surgery, with focus on subspecialties that a given resident has not yet had exposure to. Off-service rotations include Vascular Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, and Critical Care (Senior Resident). Residents also get a block of endoscopy and community surgery.
In third year (PGY-3), residents transition to senior residency. All 13 blocks are spent on General Surgery. We focus on core surgical principles with rotations like ACS, Community Surgery, Core Surgery and ambulatory surgery. Residents get a total of 4 blocks of electives that are used typically towards end of 3rd and 4th year.
In fourth year (PGY-4) residents focus their 4th year on electives, ACS as well as the subspeciality units in preparation for their exam. In either 4th or 5th year, the resident will again rotate on community surgery. There is also a senior endoscopy block that is taken in 4th or 5th year.
In fifth year (PGY-5), residents will cover the subspeciality units that they did not cover in 4th year. They will also spend some time on ACS; however, this is scheduled at times that do not interfere with studying for the exam.
Academic, Community & Rural Sites
In addition to our main campuses, residents can tailor their education by completing rotations at our community hospitals such as Montfort Hospital, Pembroke Regional Hospital, and Hawkesbury and District General Hospital
Endoscopy & Ambulatory Surgery
Dedicated endoscopy and ambulatory blocks means that our trainees graduate ready for independent practice.
World-Class Simulation Centre
The uOttawa Skills and Simulation Centre is a world class facility for simulation in procedural skills, animal and cadaveric labs, and crisis management. Residents have 24-hour access to this facility.