Gastroenterology

Department of Medicine — Division of Gastroenterology Web Page

For more information, please visit the Intestinal Disease Research Program Website: Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute

The Gastroenterology Program is a two-year program approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The program is based at the McMaster site,of the Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), but training is also undertaken at St. Joseph/s Hospital and the Henderson and General Sites of HHS.

During the first year, trainees will have a broad exposure to clinical gastroenterology in both the in and outpatient settings. Clinical experience includes the management of complex patients on a combines medical-surgical ward. There is close collaboration with the Departments of Surgery, Radiology and Pathology, which involves educational activities like Regional Gastroenterology Rounds, and an informal regional Gut Club. Gastrointestinal radiologists, pathologists, and surgeons partcipate in rounds and case discussions.

Trainees are expected to gain a solid grounding in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases including clinical nutrition and motility. Trainees are encouraged to incorporate an "evidence based" approach to clinical practice with support from faculty trained in clinical epidemiology and easy access to electronic resources. All clinical investigative procedures used in modern gastroenterology are available, inlcuding state-of-the-art video endoscopes. Trainees become competent in elective and urgent endoscopic procedures, such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy, polypectomy, endoscopic hemostasis, variceal ligation and dilation. Trainees are offered exposure to ERCP, papillotomy, stent placement, endoscopic laser therapy, endoscopic ultrasound and capsule endoscopy. An endoscopy course for new gastroenterology residents from across Canada is hosted in Hamilton each year by the Division of Gastroenterology.

All trainees are given protected time to engage in research. Active research programs in the Division of Gastroenterology cover a broad range of clinical and basic science topics, and are closely integrated with the broad activities of the highly-acclaimed Intestinal Disease Research Program. Currently basic research is focused on gastrointestinal motility, mucosal immunity and inflammation, intestinal transport, and the role of intestinal flora in gastrointestinal disease. Major thrusts of clinical research are in inflammatory bowel disease, functional gut disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. All trainees are encouraged to present their work at institutional, national and international meetings.

Trainees are encouraged to undertake a third year of clinical or research training related to their specific career goals. Trainees interested in clinical research may pursue the M.Sc. degree in Health Research Methodology through the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Dr. Frances Tse, Program Director

Residency Program in Gastroenterology
1200 Main Street West
McMaster University
Faculty of Health Sciences
Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5

PHONE: (905) 521-2100 Ext. 73495