Clinical exposure by Post Graduate Year
Broad experience
First year includes rotations in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endocrinology, Ambulatory Care in ObGyn, Hematology, Emergency Medicine, Surgical ICU, Neonatology (NICU), and ObGyn Ultrasound.
Focused
Second year is spent entirely in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Subspecialties
Third year is devoted to rotating in the subspecialty and fellowship rotations: maternal-fetal medicine, gynecologic-oncology, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, minimally invasive gynecological surgery and Urgogynecology.
Branching out
Fourth year ensures that the trainee will have a broad range of experience. The options include further research and elective opportunities that can be selected from Ccolposcopy, Adolescent Gynecology, Urogynecology, ultrasound, ambulatory obstetrics and gynecology, and epidemiology. A three to six month community-based rotation will be done in Gaspe, Cowansville or Gatineau.
Leadership
Fifth year - the trainee assumes the responsibility of Chief Resident for six months, divided between Obstetrics and Gynecology. The remainder of the year is designed to meet the needs, interests and future of the individual resident. Elective opportunities can be selected from Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility, Laparoscopic Surgery, General Surgery, Research and Pathology.
Clinical responsibilities
Obstetrics
Junior residents assume responsibility for all normal and low-risk deliveries in the Birthing Centre and the supervision of medical students. Under the instruction of the attending staff residents accumulate experience in vaginal deliveries, the use of forceps, caesarean sections, episiotomy, fetal monitoring, as well as, post-operative and post-partum care.
Senior residents are assigned to the ambulatory and inpatient perinatal unit where they assess and direct the investigation and management of complicated pregnancies, labor, and deliveries. Instruction in the technique and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound is also provided.
Gynecology
Junior residents undertake basic surgical procedures in an ambulatory setting, as well as uncomplicated abdominal procedures.
Senior residents develop surgical skills in more complicated cases, such as hysterectomies, vaginal surgery, and gyne-oncology operations. Ample opportunity is provided to develop expertise in minimally invasive surgeries, reproductive surgery, urogynecology, and colposcopy.
Research
A highlight of our program is the emphasis we place on research projects that are carried out by all ObGyn residents. The ObGyn Residency Research Committee ensures that resident research is fostered and encouraged through various activities and resources.
- Dedicated research rotations are scheduled throughout the 5 year program; additional electives may be devoted to research if academic career interests exist.
- Early on in the ObGyn residency trainees will find their research mentors/supervisors and develop their research proposals.
- Reproductive epidemiology courses are part of the curriculum and are specifically designed for our trainees by our staff epidemiologist.
- Statistical consulting services are available all worthy projects.
- RCOGC requires that each resident produces a manuscript in a publishable form, however, many trainees go beyond these criteria to publish at least one manuscript and present their findings at scientific meetings.
- Funding is available for completed projects to be presented in local, national and international meetings.