Medical Microbiology is a stand alone specialty program of The Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. At the Schulich School of Medicine and
Dentistry of The University of Western Ontario, it is a small program and does
not have more than two or three residents at any given time. The Medical Microbiology Program works closely with the Division of
Infectious Diseases. These two specialties run journal clubs and city-wide
rounds jointly. The program also has formalized arrangements with the Public
Health Laboratories, Toronto, and a private laboratory in Mississauga to accept
our residents for one to two-month rotations. The program stresses research. All residents have published results of their
research in peer-reviewed journals and/or presented their findings at national
and internal meetings. Program Director Statement of Goals Curriculum PGY2 - 5: Education Program Residents attend a week-long Annual Medical Microbiology Infectious Diseases
Teaching Session and have attended national and International conferences. All
residents have completed on-line Infection Control and Quality Assurance courses
offered by UBC. All residents are required to attend one semester long courses
in Basic Bacteriology and Virology offered by the Department of Microbiology and
Immunology of Schulich Medical School of Medicine and
Dentistry. Research AssessmentsMedical Microbiology Program Information
Dr. Robert Lannigan
The overall goal of the Medical
Microbiology Residency Training Program is to:
Help residents acquire high
level of skills in all aspects of epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, and
management of infections and communicable diseases.
PGY1:
PGY-1 is a broad
based clinical year and includes rotations in General Internal Medicine, General
Surgery, Emergency, Psychiatry, Infectious Diseases, and Medical Microbiology.
The year is designed to provide residents with acquire basic clinical knowledge,
and also offer them an opportunity to prepare for MCCQE II examination.
During these training years, there are four
6-block rotations in Microbiology, which include rotations in Aerobic,
Bacteriology, Virology, Anaerobic Bacteriology, Mycology, and Parasitology.
There is a 2-block rotation at the Public Health Laboratories in Toronto to
learn special techniques and testing methods that usually are not available
elsewhere. A 2-block rotation is offered at a private laboratory in Toronto or
at a community hospital. With each year, residents assume increased
responsibility. There is a 2-block Infectious Diseases rotation every year and
one of these rotations is a Paediatric Infectious Disease rotation. Residents
are also expected to attend Infectious Disease Clinics that include the
Outpatients Clinics as well as HIV Clinics and Wound Clinics. In addition, a
2-block rotation with is mandatory to gain experience in outpatient management
of infectious diseases. Residents are also encouraged to take a 2-block rotation
in Molecular Genetic Laboratory.
An Academic Half Day is held weekly, as
well as Plate Rounds. Academic Half Days include didactic teaching and
residents participate in presentations. Journal Club occurs monthly and is held
in conjunction with Infectious Diseases. Residents are expected to attend the
City-Wide Academic Half Days during PGY-1 and PGY-2. Attendance of Anatomical
Pathology Half Days dealing with Clinical Appraisal, Bioethics, Laboratory
Management, and Quality Assurance Issues is also mandatory. During University
Hospital Internal Medicine rotations, residents are required to attend Wednesday
afternoon rounds. These rounds deal with difficult ethical cases from recent
admissions. During Victoria Hospital Internal Medicine rotations, residents
attend Clinical Appraisal Rounds. City-Wide Medical
Microbiology and Infectious Disease Rounds are held once a month.
Electives
Up to 12-blocks are available
for electives. Electives can be taken in clinical or laboratory specialties.
Opportunity also exists to take time off to pursue a research project in the
Department of Microbiology and Immunology. A resident may also take electives in
Anatomical Pathology. Overall, the electives can be tailored to meet the need of
trainees, and allow them to achieve their personal goals and help residents to
explore career choices.
All residents have completed research projects
and presented their findings in national and international conference, and often
published results in peer-reviewed journals.
In-training exams are held frequently.
Examination can be practical, written, and oral. Residents are also quizzed
during daily and weekly Plate Rounds. Weekly Plate Rounds are attended by all
Medical Microbiologists, Infectious Disease specialist, and an ID clinical
pharmacologist.
Residents participate in annual written examination offered
by the Medical Microbiology Residency Program at the University of Toronto.
