We are looking for a candidate who fits well with our program. This includes a strong academic background, as well as collegial spirit. We are interested in enthusiastic learners who are happy to be at McMaster. Congenial, reliable and hard-working residents are usually the most successful. McMaster recognizes and values collaborative learning — this philosophy allows each resident to gain from the strengths of their peers. Recognition and dedication to steady, continued personal study is also key.

We recognize that medical students cannot do electives at all programs. We recommend at least one radiology elective (minimum 2 weeks), in order that the candidate has a clear understanding of what a career in radiology entails. We do not recommend that students use all of their elective time for radiology electives — a broad spectrum of experiences is important to assist with career choices as well as well-rounded medical training. We have matched many residents to our program who have never been to McMaster for an elective.

Research is not a mandatory requirement at time of application. We have residents with extensive backgrounds in research, along with others who have not participated in this type of activity. Research experience or publications are secondary to academic excellence and interpersonal skills.

There is ample opportunity for resident participation in teaching. Informal teaching opportunities include medical/elective student and junior resident mentoring. Residents also participate in teaching the summer on-call lecture series. Our residents participate in clinical skills teaching, medical school orientation, undergraduate medicine radiology interest groups and select resource sessions on radiology topics for medical students and other postgraduate programs.

Formal and informal feedback to residents is important. Residents are evaluated at the end of each of their rotations. In additional, there are several methods of objective resident evaluation. Two OSCE examinations are held each year, usually in November and April. These examinations are structured to mimic the Royal College OSCE examinations. The OSCE is in electronic bell-ringer type examination, in PowerPoint format, with 10 stations covering a spectrum of subspecialty areas. There is also a formal Mock Oral examination in Royal College style, held each April (PGY 3-5) and June (PGY 2) residents. Each of these examinations are scored, with timely individual feedback given to each resident. As well, there is an annual multiple-choice examination (ACR) taken by most North American residents. Subspecialty scores are provided, with peer comparison data from across the continent. Finally, each resident meets individually with the Program Director, for 6 and 12 month reviews to discuss rotation evaluations, objective tests and personal goals.

All residents are required to complete one research project and a clinical audit during residency. There is an annual resident research day, where residents present their work. There are a number of faculty persons with varying research interests. We encourage presentation of these projects at radiology meetings, as well as publishing their work. There are research grants available through the Postgraduate Education Office. In addition, the Radiology Research Committee has funding available for resident projects.

Time available for research is flexible. Residents are able to obtain individual research days, in order to meet with statisticians, supervisors or research collaborators. Our program does not designate a dedicated block of time. If a project required a scheduled research block, this would be discussed with the residency training committee. Our residents indicate satisfaction with the research time available. There are designated research resources available to the residents, including a program-designated statistician and epidemiology resources.

Residents who are presenting a poster or podium research project receive financial support from the program. The amount available is usually sufficient to cover expenses for travel, accommodation and meeting registration. Most residents attend the AIRP in Washington DC, in their PGY 4 year. The program reimburses the tuition for this course. In addition, each PGY 4 and PGY 5 receives an educational stipend of $1500.00/year. The stipends are utilized to support educational resource purchases (books, CDs, computer resources) or conference/review course expenses.

Historically, 75-100% of our graduating residents participate in a fellowship program, with most successful at obtaining their choice of fellowship location and subspecialty.

Canadian and US fellowships. Choice is often guided by subspecialty interests, as well as family commitments and mobility. Common subspecialty choices include body/cross-sectional imaging, musculoskeletal and interventional.

Choice of jobs is influenced by the job market, career opportunities and subspecialty interests. Our graduates work in both environments. In general, at least 25% of graduates select a teaching hospital position as their initial career position.

Our residents are well-trained and well-prepared to sit their Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada examination. We have a 10-year 97% pass rate at these examinations.

Each year, at least one of our graduating residents is recruited to a faculty position at McMaster. Although there is a large cadre of former graduates, there is still a wealth of faculty members who have trained elsewhere, offering the advantage of varied training perspectives and experience.

In addition to Canadian-trained medical students via CARMS match, the Diagnostic Radiology program typically accepts 1-2 additional candidates via the International Medical Graduate (IMG) program and/or externally funded (e.g. Gulf State) candidates.

Our program is well-established, with a strong track record of case material, resident teaching and exam success. With recent updates to the Royal College training requirements and movement of clinical services at HHS, we have redesigned our rotation schedule and curriculum to meet requirements and best meet our residents’ educational needs.. We are flexible to any change in faculty or hospital services in Hamilton, as our program design is rotation-based, not hospital-based.