Cardiology Residency Program Electives

McMaster trainee planning to take an elective at any other medical school should discuss his/her elective plans with their Program Director. The elective period must meet the requirements of the program.

For community electives at Brantford General and St. Catharine's General Hospital, the Postgraduate Medical Education Office (PGMEO) must provide the hospital administration with a trainee verification letter four weeks prior to the elective. The resident’s Program Director should provide the details of the elective, as listed below, to the PGMEO in a timely way so the letter can be issued appropriately.

1. Dates of the elective period
2. Name of the supervisor(s)
3. Brief description of the goals and objectives of the elective
4. Confirm that the elective period is part of the resident’s training program.

Out-of-province electives must be approved by the Postgraduate Dean. The Program Director should provide PGMEO with a letter that includes:

1. Dates of the elective period
2. Name of the supervisor(s)
3. Brief description of the goals and objectives of the elective
4. Confirm that the elective period is part of the resident's training program
5. Confirm that the experience is unique and not available within Ontario

The resident must follow the registration instructions of the visiting medical school/institution as well as the regulations of the licensing authority and membership rules of the malpractice insurance carrier.

Out-of-Country Electives

The same process as described for out-of-province electives applies to out-of-country electives. In addition, the University requires that the trainee complete a "Field Trip and Electives Planning and Approval Policy form". The form and information can be found on the Admissions page or a copy can be obtained from the Postgraduate Medical Education Office. The form should be completed by the Resident and submitted directly to Risk Management, Room 115, Wentworth House, McMaster University.

U.S. electives are not encouraged. Trainees taking electives in the U.S. should ensure they have the correct traveling documents by contacting Health Canada. CMPA coverage does not cover medical electives in the U.S. The University does have limited coverage, but again, do not encourage U.S. electives.

Foreign sponsored residents may be required to submit additional documents at the school where the elective is taken. Please check with the Postgraduate Medical Education Office of that school.

A resident or clinical fellow who is registered with an Ontario medical school and coming to McMaster to do a supervised elective must submit the following information to the McMaster PGMEO:

1. Letter of support from his/her Program Director. The letter should include dates of the elective, brief goals and objectives of the elective, the McMaster supervisor’s name and verification that the trainee is a registered postgraduate trainee.
2. Completed application form, available on the McMaster Postgrad website: http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/postgrad/
3. Proof of registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
4. Proof of registration with the Canadian Medical Protective Association

A trainee registered at a Canadian medical school outside Ontario must submit the same information as noted above for a trainee from an Ontario medical school coming to McMaster University. In addition, the out-of-province traineee must apply to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for a postgraduate certificate of registration of the elective period. The College application form is available on the CPSO website.

On receipt of the above information the McMaster Postgrad Office will issue a Confirmation of Appointment form that is required by CPSO.

Note: McGill Residents must also provide a letter of authorization from the McGill PGMEO Office. Trainees under provincial malpractice insurance plans must ensure that their coverage is applicable to Ontario hospitals or rotations or apply to Canadian Medical Protective Association.

A trainee registered at a medical school outside of Canada must submit the same information as noted in #3 above.

In order to meet the registration requirements of the CPSO, the following are required:

1. Language of patient care must be English and/or French.
2. Must provide proof that they are registered in a University residency training program.
3. Will have to successfully complete a 2 week Pre-Entry Assessment Program (PEAP).

The College application form is available on the CPSO website.

For those requiring a work authorization permit, please allow 4-6 months lead time.

McMaster Elective in Cardiology Contact Information

For Undergraduate MD Electives contact:

Dr. N. Valettas valettn@mcmaster.ca

For Postgraduate MD Electives contact:

Dr. M. Rokoss rokossm@mcmaster.ca

Arrangements can be made to have an interview with the Program Director for those interested in the Cardiology Training Program.

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McMaster Fellowship in Cardiology Contact Information

Interventional Dr. Shamir Mehta smehta@mcmaster.ca

Also copy his assistant Gail Campbell campbelg@hhsc.ca

ArrhythmiaDr. Girish Nair Girish.Nair@phri.ca

Echocardiography Dr. Eva Lonn lonnem@mcmaster.ca

Research Dr. Stuart Connolly connostu@phri.ca

The Hamilton Health Science Corporation is in the midst of reviewing the observership procedures and they will no longer permit residents in observerships. The alternative would be for the trainee to do an international elective. There are a lot of criteria to be met, and below is a summary:

• The trainee must be a PGY3 (or higher) in the specialty/sub-specialty discipline they are applying to
• The trainee must apply for work permit, CPSO licensing and have CMPA coverage (these take a minimum of 4 months to process)
• Their home school must provide objectives for the elective and an evaluation form
• Their home school must agree to pay the training fee of $1,930.00 per month
• The trainee must do a 2-week PEAP to meet CPSO’s exception of the MCCEE
• The elective cannot exceed 6 months