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Rheumatology An integrated Rheumatology training program exists at McGill University, with rotations available at the Montreal General, Jewish General Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal Children's Hospital, and the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital. Candidates applying for postgraduate training in rheumatology must have completed three years minimum training in internal medicine. The primary objective of the rheumatology program is to train sound and competent consultant rheumatologists with a broad exposure to both clinical and laboratory aspects of rheumatology. The program has been fully approved and accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Collège des médecins du Québec. During the two year program, candidates will experience rotations at the different tertiary care hospitals affiliated with McGill University. The first year is focused on intensive clinical training so that candidates are comfortable with the full assessment and management of a vast array of Rheumatic diseases. McGill hospitals service a large urban community (of greater Montreal) and also acts as a referral center for large outlying communities including the native population of northern Quebec. This allows residents to have exposure to the full range of Rheumatic diseases, both common and uncommon pathologies. During the first year, trainees are required to attend between three and four outpatient clinics per week which are supervised by the rheumatology attending staff. Subspecialty clinics for systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, fibromyalgia, and vasculitis are available. Trainees will have the opportunity to have their own resident "continuity" clinic for the entire two years of training. This clinic, although managed by the trainee with full secretarial support, is supervised by an assigned staff rheumatologist. This clinic is viewed as an important and rewarding aspect of the training program, helping to develop key skills in areas such as medical management, medical collaborator, and health care advocate. The ability to see cases evolve over time and to be involved in initiating rounds occur at least twice weekly at which time clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings will be presented by the trainee and reviewed by attending staff. During training, clinical exposure is provided through ambulatory care facilities at all hospitals, and the inpatient consultation services. Trainees can be expected to evaluate, on average, eight to ten new outpatient consultations, fifteen return outpatients and five inpatient consultations weekly, in addition to their own weekly clinic. Thainees will obtain experience in joint athrocentesis and injection, synovial fluid analysis, and polarizing microscopy. There is an excellent opportunity for close contact between staff and trainees on a day-to-day basis. In the second year, flexibility is possible based on the particular needs of the individual resident. Electives can be arranged to increase exposure to ambulatory care subspecialties. A variety of areas for elective are available such as radiology, sports medicine, foot disorders, neuromuscular disorders, physiatry and rehabilitation medicine, osteoporosis, and laboratory medicine. Also in the second year, a mandatory rotation occurs at the Children’s Hospital, and an opportunity for more ongoing exposure to pediatric rheumatology is available, if required. All residents attend the McGill epidemiology course in the second year. The second year can be more flexible as the trainee will be encouraged to engage in clinical or basic science research activity. Mandatory attendance is expected at the weekly academic rounds. One session occurs on Tuesday mornings, where rounds are focused on review of disease pathophysiology, basic science topics, review of drug pharmacology and mechanism of action, physical exam, etc. Residents are expected to participate in several preparations of these topics during the year. The second academic rounds occur on Friday mornings and are more clinically based, covering topics such as radiology, clinical case presentations, journal clubs, and various lectures to cover state of the art clinical and basic core topics. All residents attend the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) and CRA (Canadian Rheumatology Association), annual meetings, as well as the regional Laurentian Rheumatology Conference. As well residents are encouraged to attend the Harvard Review Course in their second year. Funding assistance is available to attend these meetings. An internal and oral examination is conducted every six months to assess the candidate's progress during his/her training. Candidates have an opportunity to evaluate the rheumatology program and submit their suggestions for improvement. A résumé of all ongoing basic science and clinical rheumatology research projects is made available to the residents during the first year of training so fellows may plan well in advance their activities for the second year of the program. Note also that for those particularly interested in exploring a research career, a Clinical Investigator’s Track program is offered at McGill University through the Rheumatology Division, which would require at least 1 extra year of training. The Residency Training Committee meets regularly throughout the year, and is available to respond to resident needs. Members of the committee are Drs. M. Starr, M. Baron, K. Duffy, C. Pineau, H. Ménard, A. Clarke, and a Resident Representative. For further information, please contact:
Dr. Christian Pineau,
Program Director
The administrative secretary contact is
Shelley Vaisberg:
Application materials can be obtained via
McGill University at rev Jan 09 |