The training program is based in St. Joseph's Health Centre's 26-bed level 3 neonatal intensive care unit and 16-bed level 2 neonatal unit. The NICU health care team consists of 8 consultant neonatologists, 8 neonatal nurse practitioners, 18 expanded role respiratory therapists, neonatal pharmacist, neonatal nutritionist, 3 lactation consultants and 3 social workers. The areas of specific expertise of the consultant neonatologists include: clinical trials and epidemiology, neonatal database, basic science research in growth factors and fetal physiology, neonatal resuscitation, pulmonary physiology, neonatal gastroenterology and nutrition and medical education. The program is affiliated with the University of Western Ontario and is a division of the Dept. of Paediatrics, London Health Sciences Centre. Trainees have the opportunity to participate in education and research initiatives offered by the University and Dept. of Paediatrics.

The training programme has been designed to give the subspecialty resident trainee a broadly based training in all aspects of the subspecialty. The goal is to train a competent clinical consultant neonatologist who has the knowledge and experience to facilitate transition to the extrauterine environment in both term and preterm infants, anticipate problems of transition under various circumstances, manage the sick neonate, critically review the literature, and carry out administrative duties. This program also provides the base on which the trainee who so desires and who has interests in basic science or clinical research may build a career with further years of training in basic science and/or clinical epidemiology.

The first year of the program focuses on clinical experience as outlined in the program objectives. One month has been specified for attendance at follow-up clinics and Perinatal Outreach. A rotation on the high-risk obstetrical service has been developed which includes the weekly Fetal Development Clinic, attendance at Genetics clinics and participation in high-risk obstetrical diagnostic clinics. Consultations in the antenatal area and in the well baby nursery are done when they arise, and are discussed with the staff neonatologist. Residents participate in neonatal transport as the transport team leader for the sickest neonates for whom physician accompaniment, is considered necessary. There are also opportunities to attend the follow-up clinics, outreach visits, and participate in consultations throughout the clinical training period. An elective month may be spent in an area of special interest. A research planning month is available to do background reading in preparation for a research project in the second year.

The second year allows four months for the trainee to consolidate his/her clinical training. A second month of developmental follow-up, perinatal outreach, Fetal Development Clinic and consultations are included, as well as another month of elective. The remainder of the year is devoted to research as described under the research objectives. Trainees who are planning a non-academic clinical practice may request more electives or core rotations.

A further year(s) is available for trainees with particular interest in expanding their research skills in certain areas of the basic sciences related to neonatal-perinatal medicine, which are pursued in the Lawson Research Institute. This year is optional and can be tailored to the individual trainee's goals and objectives. There is also the possibility of pursuing a Masters Degree or taking courses in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Western Ontario.

University of Western Ontario, Department of Paediatrics
800 Commissioners Road East, Rm E6-103
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5W9
Tel: (519) 685-8129  Fax: (519) 685-8156