Residency Training
RESOURCES: Our Medical Genetics Residency program is interdisciplinary and spent at a number of tertiary level Vancouver teaching hospitals and laboratories, all with large patient loads derived from the entire province. The program integrates basic and clinical genetics, with residents completing course work within the UBC Medical Genetics Graduate Program. The clinical training is within a busy, provincial service that sees approximately 3000 families per year as outpatient, inpatient and outreach consultations. Patients are seen with a wide variety of prenatal, paediatric, and adult conditions. There is close affiliation with both diagnostic and research laboratories.
CURRICULUM: The training follows the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada guidelines, with a five year program with the following rotations:
PGY-1 & 2:
– Paediatrics – 8 months
– Internal Medicine – 8 months
– Maternal Fetal Medicine – 2 months
– Psychiatry – 1 month
– Selectives – 5 months
PGY-3 to 5:
– Course work
– Laboratory rotations (molecular genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics) – 6 months
– Clinical genetics (general, prenatal, adult and biochemical rotations) – 18 months
– Research and electives – up to 12 months
CLINICAL: The first 24 months will include rotations in Internal Medicine and Paediatrics as well as Maternal Fetal Medicine and selectives. One month of psychiatry is also a requirement. In year one or 2 the resident can chose to do a rotation in Clinical genetics as a selective. In years 3-5, the trainee will complete a minimum of 18 months of clinical genetics rotation consisting of rotations in general genetics, adult genetics, prenatal genetics and biochemical genetics. During years 3-5, the resident will take genetic call, and will be involved with teaching and supervision of students/residents rotating through the unit.
RESEARCH: Each resident will complete a scholarly project(s) (clinical or laboratory). The topic will be chosen during Year 3 and completed in Years 4 & 5 during protected time for research. The resident will be able to access world-renowned laboratory and clinical research groups to define and complete the project(s).
Additional research experience is available to trainees after completion of the residency program through postdoctoral fellowships in various laboratories.
ACADEMIC HALF-DAY: The residents are expected to attend a weekly academic half-day. In addition they will participate and present regularly in clinical case conferences, journal club, and ethics and research seminars.
SELECTION CRITERIA: Candidates are judged on the basis of written applications and interviews by the Residency Program Committee. Candidates are prioritized on the basis of: academic performance, clinical ability, demonstrated interest in clinical genetics, reference letters, and interpersonal communication skills.
PERSONAL LETTER: A personal letter is required outlining previous experience and course work in genetics, reasons for choosing medical genetics, and career goals. This should be submitted with CV and application according to CARMS deadlines.
REFERENCES: Three (3) letters are required.
INTERVIEWS: Formal interviews will be offered to short-listed candidates after review of application forms, letters of reference, and personal letter. Candidates will be notified by email if selected for interview. Although candidates are encouraged to telephone with questions regarding the program, telephone interviews will not be granted. The candidates will be interviewed by representatives of the residency training committee as well as a present trainee. The applicant will be able to tour the facility. Efforts will be made to accommodate the applicant’s schedule.
