Obstetric Anesthesia
Fellowship Program Director – Dr. Kamal Kumar
The Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University offers a one-year, Clinical Obstetric Anesthesia Fellowship based at Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre in London Ontario Canada.
Victoria Hospital is an academic tertiary care hospital which provides obstetrical anesthesia services for almost 6000 deliveries per year. The cases are interesting and challenging as almost 30% of the obstetric patients are considered high risk. There is an approximately 80% epidural user rate and a 23% cesarean delivery rate.
The Obstetrical Anesthesia Fellowship places emphasis on advanced clinical expertise, through clinical exposure, regular education/teaching opportunities, research and quality improvement activities, and leadership opportunities.
The fellowship offers a variety of clinical experiences such as a 24 hour epidural labor analgesia service, cesarean deliveries and other obstetric surgeries, an acute postcesarean pain service, and an Obstetric Anesthesia clinic for consultation of high risk obstetric patients. The fellow will also gain experience in the use of ultrasound for neuraxial anesthesia. These activities are supported by weekly Obstetric Anesthesia rounds.
As well, there is an expectation that the fellow will regularly teach residents, medical students, and other health care personnel. The fellow is also expected to perform with direct supervision at least one research project during the fellowship. Other research activities include online modules, grant, REB and abstract submissions, as well as presentations at meetings. The fellow will also, with supervision review manuscripts for anesthesia journals.
London Health Sciences Centre’s Women’s Care Program at Victoria Hospital is the first in Canada to be designated as a Centre of Excellence by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) for providing safe, effective, and evidence-based Obstetric Anesthesia care. Read more on the LHSC website.
Fellowship Structure
- Duration: The Fellowship Training Program will be undertaken over twelve (12) consecutive months and includes four (4) weeks of holiday time. The remaining forty eight (48) weeks will be comprised of general clinical, subspeciality training and research (if approved in advance).
- Number of fellowship positions: 2
- Location: Fellowship training will take place at Victoria (Children’s Hospital).
- Service commitment: 100 days per year (subject to change according to department fellowship policies). This service commitment may be in subspecialties unrelated to Obstetric Anesthesia. The remainder of the weekdays is subspecialty time. Academic time may be granted depending on the academic productivity of the fellow.
"I’m completing my obstetric anesthesia fellowship at Western University and the clinical experience has been excellent, with many complex cases and opportunities for inter specialty collaboration. There are numerous research opportunities as well, and excellent researchers in the department for guidance. I've enjoyed working with and teaching the residents and medical students, and these interactions have made my fellowship truly memorable. " - Dr. Tammy Symons, Canada
Eligibility Requirements for Canadian and Foreign Medical Graduates
- Candidates must possess a medical degree from a University recognized by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
- Candidates must have completed an anesthesia residency that is recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
- International Medical Graduates do not need to write additional exams, but must be approved by the PGE Office at Western University
- English Language Requirement for IMGs: TOEFL-iBT required to achieve an overall score of no less than 93 with a minimum score of 24 in speaking; IELTS required to achieve a minimum score of 7 in each category.
- All non-Canadian trained anesthesiologists will be required to pass an assessment period taking place over the first 4 - 8 weeks in order to continue with the fellowship (‘PEAP’ – Pre-entry assessment period).
- Please refer to the Application and Requirements page for a more detailed description
Goals and Objectives
