CBD 3-5

The final four years of the residency program are structured according to the RCPSC requirements for training in anesthesia. This includes 33 blocks of anesthesia, which is divided as follows:

  • 6 blocks of introductory rotations
  • 18-20 blocks of subspecialty rotations in cardiac anesthesia; regional anesthesia; obstetric anesthesia; pediatric anesthesia; vascular anesthesia; thoracic anesthesia; ambulatory anesthesia; neuroanesthesia; chronic pain; acute pain, out-of-OR anesthesia; and airway
  • 7-9 blocks of consolidation rotations

Thirteen blocks of internal medicine-related specialties are required by the RCPSC, which can be taken as a block or interspersed throughout the PGY2-5 time span. Residents usually spend 6 of these blocks in critical care and the other 6 blocks on specialty internal medicine, such as respiratory, cardiology, palliative medicine and general internal medicine consult services. There is some flexibility available regarding the individual subspecialties selected.

Elective experience: 6 blocks of elective time is available for the trainee in good standing to pursue areas of individual interest selected from research, clinical subspecialty and academic studies.

Research

All residents participate in a research project during their five years of postgraduate training. Didactic sessions in research methodology are presented in our academic program to prepare trainees to participate effectively in research. It is expected that these projects will be of sufficient quality that the project is either presented at a national meeting or is published in a peer-reviewed journal. Full financial support is provided for residents presenting their work at major meetings.

Project formats are chosen by the trainee and can vary widely. Clinical research, laboratory research, reviews and meta-analysis all fall within the bounds of our projects. Dedicated time is available on an individualized basis. Our residents have won numerous prizes for their research.

Seminars

All residents are relieved of clinical duties to attend our weekly academic teaching sessions. The schedule includes sessions on all the major topic areas in anesthesia, current topic seminars presented by residents, and a wide variety of sessions to help trainees prepare for their future careers (from research methodology to financial planning).

A good selection of visiting professors provide a fresh point of view to staff and trainees alike.