Ultrasound Course/Rotation

All of our PGY 1 and 2 residents take part in a hands-on Ultrasound Course to ensure that they have the skills needed for their future rotations. This course includes scanning days, where residents have the opportunity to conduct a number of scans on volunteer patients. Finally, residents have a 2-week scanning block in PGY 2 where they can practice their ultrasound skills in the ED while supervised by one of our POCUS Fellows or Staff and can see and utilize the practical applications of POCUS while in the ED.

Simulation

Resident are given the opportunity to participate in simulation throughout residency training, with more intensive training in the first two months of PGY 1 as well as throughout the year in PGY 2 and PGY 4. Sessions occur once a month and are led by staff with simulation expertise and using high fidelity mannequins.

Critical Care Day

The program organizes a biennial critical care day to review common and uncommon critical care procedures in the anatomy lab to ensure that our residents are familiar with how to perform them.

Disaster Day

The program organizes a biennial Disaster Day to give our residents the opportunity to participate in a Mock Disaster. Our residents are managing a busy Emergency Department, when disaster strikes! Over the course of the morning they manage the organized chaos of simulated disaster. It has received great reviews from our residents and has been a great learning opportunity.

Administration Curriculum

McMaster has developed a multi-part administration curriculum for residents in PGY 4. Faculty from within the Program as well as guest presenters hold sessions with the residents to discuss administrative topics relevant to the practice of Emergency Medicine. A number of our faculty have an interest in administration and are involved in hospital/university administration. These faculty have been mentors for residents with similar interests. The program is geared to help develop leadership and administrative skills in Emergency Medicine.

Retreat

Once a year the program holds a resident retreat off-site. This time is protected for residents to get together outside of the hospital and discuss issues both within and outside of clinical emergency medicine. Topics discussed during the retreat have included – End of Life Care, Career Opportunities, etc.

EMS Rotation

Residents in PGY2 take part in a formal EMS Curriculum. During this time residents have didactic sessions, attend EMS related meetings, take part in ride outs with Paramedics in one of the local EMS Services and may conduct a EMS related project.

Practice Exams

Residents have the opportunity to write practice written examinations several times per year:

• The Canadian In-Training Exam is written twice per year
• Block exams approximately 2-3 times per year covering material reviewed in academic half days in the preceding months.

All of these exams are in a format similar to the written component of the Royal College exam. All of these exams are excellent practice for the Royal College Exams.

Residents also have the opportunity to participate in practice oral exams:

• PGY 2-3 — Semi Annually
• PGY 4 — Monthly

Research Curriculum and Support — Residents can participate in research to a level commensurate with their career goals and objectives. At a minimum, residents are responsible for completing:

• At least one academic project suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed process over the course of their residency
• Presenting a completed academic project at our Internal Research Day at least once

Residents are also encouraged to present at national and international meetings.