Division of Emergency Medicine

FRCP (EM) - Overview

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
Training Program in Emergency Medicine

General Information
The Royal College Emergency Medicine training Program at McMaster University strives to educate physicians who wish to pursue an academic career in Emergency Medicine. It is a five year integrated Program involving the Hospitals in the City of Hamilton. The Hospitals are organized such that there are regional Programs which concentrate specialized facilities at specific locations, such as Burn/Trauma at the Hamilton General Hospital, Oncology at the Henderson General Hospital, Paediatrics at McMaster Hospital, and Emergency Psychiatry at St. Joseph's Hospital. As well these institutions offer Emergency Departments with a high patient volume supported by comprehensive Medical and Surgical services. This will expose the resident to a wide range of patient problems, as well specific focus in different rotations.

Upon completion of the residency Program, the resident is expected to demonstrate consultant level abilities in the recognition, understanding, and treatment of illness and injuries presenting to the Emergency Department. These individuals, as part of a commitment to a career in Emergency Medicine, would be expected to enhance the provision of emergency health services, and be involved in research development and education.

Prerequisites and Application
Applicants must have successfully completed training at an accredited medical school. Applicants must be eligible for an educational licensure in the province of Ontario.

Program Description
The specialty training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons are met by this Program.
The five year curriculum includes:

  1. PGY 1
    • Emergency Medicine (HHS or SJH), 3 months
    • Internal Medicine, 2 months
    • General Surgery, 2 months
    • Pediatrics, 2 months
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1 months
    • Anesthesia, 1 month
    • Orthopedic Surgery, 1 month
  1. PGY 2 (Junior Emergency Year)
    • Emergency Medicine (HHS or SJH), 8 months
    • Pediatric Emergency Medicine (CHEO or CHWO), 2 months
    • Community Emergency Medicine, 2 months
  1. PGY 3 (Off-service/Consultation Year)
    • CCU/Cardiology, 1 month
    • ICU/Critical Care, 3 months
    • Pediatric ICU, 1 month
    • Emergency Medicine (HHS or SJH), 2 months
    • Trauma, 1 months
    • Selectives1, 1 month each, total 4 months
  1. PGY 4/5
    • Emergency Medicine (HHS and SJH), 10 months
    • Pediatric Emergency Medicine (CHEO or CHWO), 2 months
    • Selectives2, 2 months
    • Electives3, maximum 4 months
    • Specialty Project4, 6 months

1PGY3 selectives: Plastics, Orthopedics, Trauma, Emergency Psychiatry, Neurosciences, Consult Medicine, Family Med, OBGYN, Anesthesia

2PGY4/5 selectives: as above, or may be used as additional Emergency Medicine or Specialty Project time

3Electives: must be approved by the RPC, may be used as additional Specialty Project time

4Specialty Project: As per the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Specialty Training Requirements for Emergency Medicine.  The project must be a minimum of 6 months in length, and may be extended to up to 12 months, depending on the personal objectives of the resident.  A proposal for the project must be submitted to the RPC via the Program Director at least six months prior to commencement.  Examples include (but are not limited to): education, research/clinical epidemiology, administration/health care management, pre-hospital care, pediatrics, toxicology, critical care, trauma, and sports medicine.  Additional information about the specialty project is available on the Royal College Website. 

In keeping with the philosophy of Postgraduate Education at McMaster University all residents have protected time for educational activities. This includes a weekly academic half day which covers the core content, research methodology, critical appraisal of the literature, department management, quality assurance, and the organization of the emergency medical systems with the topics under the direction of the residents directed to the residents educational needs. In addition, there is a series of multidisciplinary academic half days of interest to all residents. As well, there is an active Journal Club and city-wide Regional Rounds program.
At the annual research day all Emergency Medicine residents present a topic of their choice that demonstrates knowledge in critical appraisal of the literature. By the senior years, this presentation should include original research.
McMaster University has a commitment to the concept that the educational needs of the resident are not compromised by service requirements.

For Further Information

Please contact:

Dr. Ian Preyra
Emergency Medicine Residency Program
Hamilton General Hospital

E-mail: vallera@mcmaster.ca
Telephone: (905) 521-2100, Ext. 76207
Fax: (905) 521-2337