Subspecialty Residency Program

Training Requirements

The program curriculum is based on the subspecialty training requirements in pediatric cardiology as outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

The three-year mandatory content of training includes the following, with one block equal to four weeks:

• Outpatient Cardiology (ambulatory) - 6 blocks (longitudinal experience)
• Electrophysiology - 3 blocks
• Pathology - 1 block
• Clinical Cardiology (inpatients / consultations) - 6 blocks
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit - 3 blocks
• Cardiac Catheterization - 3 blocks
• Echocardiography - 6 blocks
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease - 1 block
• Research - 3 blocks
• Elective - 3 blocks
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging - 3 blocks
• CVS - Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery - 1 block
• Heart Failure/Transplantation – 1 block

As we will launch Competence By Design in July 2020 the curriculum is currently being mapped to the stages of the new framework of the RCPSC including transition to discipline, core, and transition to practice.

• There is an academic half-day dedicated to teaching the core contents of pediatric cardiology. Pediatric Cardiology Residents are relieved of their clinical duties during academic sessions. The curriculum may be adjusted to the resident’s needs. There are also formal teaching sessions with the staff cardiologists on various topics that are scheduled throughout the year. In addition, teaching occurs during weekly rounds on Monday afternoons (cardiovascular surgical conference and pre-catheterization review) and Friday afternoons (cardiology patient conference).
• Other rounds include Tuesday morning Teaching Rounds, Thursday morning Echo Rounds, bi-weekly Journal Club, monthly Quality Insurance Rounds, bi-weekly Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Group Rounds. Residents are also invited to attend monthly adult congenital cardiology conferences and weekly adult cardiovascular rounds on Thursdays when a topic relevant to congenital cardiology or arrhythmia is presented.
• Pediatric Cardiology Residents have the advantage of working closely with a dedicated group of pediatric cardiologists. The adult cardiology rotation takes place at the Royal Victoria Hospital, also situated at McGill University Health Centre. Being physically in the same building allows for close interaction with our adult colleagues both in the clinical, educational and research arenas. Elective rotations may be taken at outside institutions upon the approval of the Program Director.
• Pediatric Cardiology Residents are encouraged to participate in research opportunities within the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. We have a dedicated cardiologist with a specific focus in developing and implementing research projects. In addition, the Division has a close link with the MUHC Research Institute.

Electives

The Division of Pediatric Cardiology offers elective rotations of 4 to 6 weeks in duration in all fields of pediatric cardiology:

• Fetal cardiology
• Cardiac magnetic resonance
• Cardiac catheterization and intervention
• Electrophysiology

Please contact programadmin.pedscardio [at] mcgill.ca (Gabriella Rosarini) for more information about electives.

Observerships

We offer observerships for a duration of 4 weeks. The experience is mainly directed towards exposure to outpatient clinic and inpatient consultations. Observers are expected to attend all teaching sessions, rounds, journal club, cardiosurgical rounds and patient handover rounds.

Please contact mary.serravalle [at] muhc.mcgill.ca (Mary Serravalle) for more information about observerships.

Training Sites

Montreal Children's Hospital
Royal Victoria Hospital (for the adult congenital cardiology rotation)

Other University Rotations

Ste-Justine Hospital