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Queen’s University - Anesthesiology - Kingston

2022 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG

Last approved on January 19, 2022

Summary of changes

Approximate Quota:

 4 

Accreditation status : Accredited

Provincial Criteria


Dr. Stacy Ridi
Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine 
Kingston Health Sciences Centre, KGH Site 
76 Stuart Street
Kingston K7L 2V7, Ontario, K7L 2V7
(613) 548-2482
Queen's University Anesthesiology Postgraduate Program
Residency Program Instagram Account
AFMC Web Calendar of Events
Departmental Twitter Account
Queen's University Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
Queen's Postgraduate Medical Education
Queen's University

Program Contacts

Mrs. Kim Asselstine
Postgraduate Program Assistant
Kim.Asselstine@kingstonhsc.ca
(613) 548-2482

Dr. Marta Cenkowski
Program Director
Marta.Cenkowski@kingstonhsc.ca
(613) 548-2482


Important Information

Altus Suite - Admissions assessments of non-cognitive skills – Required

 

All applicants applying to the Anesthesiology program, at Queen's University are required to complete the Casper Test (Altus Suite), to assist with our selection process for the 2021-2022 Application Cycle.

 

Altus Suite is a standardized, two -part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Altus Suite, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.

 

Altus Suite consists of:

  • Casper: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)

 

You will register for Altus Suite for Canadian Postgraduate Medical Education (CSP-20201 – Canadian Postgraduate Medical Education),

Access www.TakeAltus.com to create an account and for more information on important dates and requirements, and the Altus Suite assessments.

Institution-wide CBME Implementation within PGME at Queen’s University

Queen’s University received approval to adopt a Competency-based Medical Education model in all specialty programs, effective July 1, 2017. 

Residents attending Queen’s in July 2017 and beyond will use time as a framework rather than the basis for progression. It is not anticipated that the duration of training will change for the majority of trainees. Residency programs will be broken down into stages, and each stage will have a series of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) based on required competencies. These EPAs will create more targeted learning outcomes and involve more frequent, formative assessments within the clinical workplace to ensure residents are developing and receiving feedback on the skills they need.

The changes at Queen’s University are intended to align with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons’ broader, national Competence by Design initiative to introduce CBME in all faculties and all disciplines.  This program at Queen’s University simply adopts CBME on an advanced timeline.  However, as each specialty and subspecialty adopts CBD nationally, Queen’s will make any necessary adjustments in order to fully align and comply with CBD. 

Further information on CBD can be found on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website at: CBD implementation 

Electives

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted candidates' opportunities to arrange and complete electives and would like to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact your application to our program.

COVID-19 vaccination requirements:

Please refer to the 'Restrictions' section of the Ontario eligibility criteria for messaging regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements.


General Instructions

Program application language: English


Supporting Documentation

Applicants are advised to only provide the documents requested by the program. No other documents submitted will be reviewed.
Canadian citizenship
CaRMS partners with third-party organizations to verify your citizenship or permanent resident status. If your status is verified by one of these organizations, you will not need to provide citizenship documents in your application. If your citizenship status is not verified, you must provide one of the documents listed below.
Document must be notarized/certified
Required
Submit one of the following documents to verify your Canadian citizenship:
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of card)

Proof of valid current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the File Review Opening deadline. Failure to provide valid proof will result in your application being removed. No other forms of verification are acceptable:

 

  1. Notarized/certified photocopy of Birth Certificate/Act of Birth issued by an authority in Canada accompanied by photo ID (must be Canadian government issued photo ID).
  2. Documents must be notarized/certified photocopies. Notarized/certified copies must not be older than two years from the application submission deadline; otherwise, a new notarized/certified copy is required.
  3. Confirmation of permanent residence must be accompanied by photo ID (must be a Canadian government issued photo ID).

 

CaRMS is partnering with third-party organizations to automate the verification of citizenship/legal status required by postgraduate offices for entry into residency. Third-party verification simplifies the process for applicants and programs. All applicants who do not receive third-party citizenship verification will be required to upload and assign an acceptable proof of citizenship document. Please see additional information here.

Reference documents
Required
Number requested: 3

Three confidential references are required from staff physicians. If possible, one or more reference letters from a faculty member from Anesthesiology is helpful, but not required. We realize that this may not be possible this year with the restrictions on electives and reassure you that this will not be detrimental to your application. If three letters of reference are not received by the due date, the candidate's application is deemed to be incomplete, and the candidate may not be considered for an interview. 

Additional documents
Required
Medical School Transcript 

Transcripts from the applicant’s graduating university (ideally sent directly by the university to CaRMS however if there are administrative barriers to doing this transcripts may be directly uploaded by the candidate)

Medical Student Performance Record 

Order from your Dean's Office

Personal Letter 
Word count
Minimum : None
Maximum : None

A personal letter is required. Word count should not exceed 700. Candidates may wish to describe important achievements, extracurricular activities, personal goals during residency, career aspirations or anything else that can give the selection committee an idea of who the candidate is as a person.

CASPer exam 

Altus Suite - admissions assessments of non-cognitive skills - Required

 

All applicants applying to the Anesthesiology program, at Queen's University are required to complete the Casper Test (Altus Suite), to assist with our selection process for the 2021-2022 Application Cycle.

 

Altus Suite is a standardized, two -part online assessment of non-cognitive skills, interpersonal characteristics, and personal values and priorities that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program. Altus Suite will complement the other tools that we use for applicant review and evaluation. In implementing Altus Suite, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process.

 

Altus Suite consists of:

  • Casper: a 60-90 minute online situational judgment test (SJT)

 

You will register for Altus Suite for Canadian Postgraduate Medical Education (CSP-20201 – Canadian Postgraduate Medical Education),

Access www.TakeAltus.com to create an account and for more information on important dates and requirements, and the Altus Suite assessments.

Custom Résumé / CV 

Photo 
[Note: Photograph is used as memory aid only]

Conditionally required
Medical School Diploma 

Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation. Students applying in the last year of medical school will need to submit their most recent marks/transcripts, and will need to provide proof of their MD to CPSO prior to the start of residency training.

Optional - will be reviewed
Abstract/Publications 


Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 31, 2022


Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  January 31, 2022


Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 31, 2022



Interviews

Dates:

  • February 28, 2022
  • March 1, 2022
  • March 2, 2022
  • March 3, 2022
Interviews will be held on the following dates:

Monday, February 28, 2022

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Thursday, March 3, 2022

 

 

Program will notify all applicants through CaRMS Online and will send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview.
Our interviews will be conducted using the Zoom platform. 

Candidates will have two separate interviews.  One interview with Dr. Cenkowski, Program Director and Dr. Ridi, Assistant Program Director.  The other interview with two residents.  Each interview will be 20 minutes in duration.  Immediately following these interviews there will be a break-out room available for candidates to have an informal Question and Answer session with some of our resdients.

Prior to the interviews, candidates will be provided with recorded material about the program that applicants may access at their convenience.  

Also, during the months of November, December and January we will be hosting Town Hall information sessions and Meet and Greet sessions with our Program Director, Assistant Program Director, as well as sessions with our Residents by Zoom.  


Selection Criteria

An academic record which demonstrates proficiency in subjects particularly relevant to anesthesia.

References which attest to an interest in, as well as cognitive and technical suitability for, the specialty of anesthesia.

Excellent communication skills.

We welcome diversity among our trainees, and seek to foster an environment that is welcoming to all, regardless of gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Program goals

The Queen's Anesthesiology Residency is dedicated to the development of physicians who exemplify the priciples of the World Medical Association's Declaration of Geneva.   The Queen's Anesthesiology Residency seeks to educate resident anesthesiologists using the CanMEDs framework to fulfill the Royal College Objectives of Specialty Training in Anesthesiology.

The Objectives of Training in the Specialty of Anesthesiology

Selection process goals

The Selection Process is designed to identify candidates with a high probability of successfully completing the postgraduate anesthesiology program at Queen’s University, in Kingston, Ontario.  It aims to identify candidates with exemplary skills in all of the CanMEDs roles: medical expert, communicator, collaborator, leader, health advocate, scholar and professional.  We are looking for candidates with the potential to become comprehensive, compassionate and competent anesthesiologists, who will be outstanding physicians within their respective communities, to become stewards of the profession as clinicians, researchers, educators and administrators, with a dedication to lifelong learning and the advancement of anesthesiology.

File review process

Review team composition : Our file review is conducted by the Program Director, Assistant Program Director and one other staff anesthesiologist.

Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200

Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 51 - 75 %

Evaluation criteria :
File component Criteria
CV Organized and professional review of pertinent accomplishments.
Electives Evidence of interest in Anesthesiology.
Examinations We do not evaluate this file component
Extra-curricular Activities contributing to a humanistic and well rounded individual.
Leadership skills Leadership contributions in any realm.
MSPRs Performance in all CanMeds domains.
Personal letters Insight into Anesthesiology and one's self. Interest in Queen's program and Kingston
Reference documents Personal and professional qualities of a successful anesthesia resident.
Research/Publications Research history, publication/presentation, experience with methodology. interest in Anesthesiology.
Transcripts Academic performance.

Elective criteria

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted candidates' opportunities to arrange and complete electives and would like to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact your application to our program.
We do not require applicants to have done onsite electives.

Interview process

Interview format :



We routinely accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants.

Interview evaluation criteria :
Interview components Criteria
Collaboration skills Evidence of excellent skills necessary to work effectively with others towards a common goal.
Collegiality Able to contribute and cooperate with colleagues with a shared responsibility.
Communication skills Effective and efficient ability to facilitate the gathering and sharing of essential information.
Health advocacy Demonstrated advocacy for patient health.
Interest in the discipline Demonstrated insight into and interest in anesthesiology.
Interest in the program Demonstrated interest in Queen's Anesthesiology.
Leadership skills Evidence of meaningful service and leadership roles.
Professionalism Evidence of professional ethics, high personal standards of behaviour & accountability.
Scholarly activities Demonstrate commitment to excellence through learning, teaching, critical thinking & scholarship.

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

Specifically, we may consider:







Ranking process

The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :
   
   
   


Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 5 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

The Anesthesiology program at Queen's University is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and complies with all of their standards and policies. We are committed to providing our residents with exceptional training in order for them to be successful in their FRCPC exams and their career.

The relatively small size of the program allows for a close relationship between the faculty and the residents.  This enables a rapid progression to independent activities for individual residents.  To help residents meet their career goals, they are assigned a faculty Academic Advisor for each stage of the program.

Transition to Discipline (Total of 2 blocks)

 

Rotation

Duration

Location / Notes

Anesthesia 

2 blocks/8 weeks 

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital 

 

  Clinical OR time, simulation, seminars, independent learning modules

 

 

 

Foundations (Total of 18 blocks)

 

Rotation

Duration

Location / Notes

Anesthesia  

8 blocks 

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital 

Pediatric Anesthesia

1 block 

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital  

Obstetrics/Obstetric Anesthesia 

2 blocks 

Kingston General Hospital  

Acute Pain/ Regional Anesthesia

1 block

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital 

General Surgery   

1 block

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital  

Resuscitation/PocUS/Emergency Medicine  

1 block

Kingston General Hospital

Internal Medicine

2 blocks

Kingston General Hospital

Pediatrics (Ward/COPC)


1 block

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital

Cardiac Anesthesia


1 block

Kingston General Hospital

Core (Total of 36 blocks) 

 

Rotation

Duration

Location / Notes

Anesthesia


11 blocks

Kingston General Hospital / Hotel Dieu Hospital 

Adult Intensive Care Unit 

4 blocks of Med/Surg Adult ICU, Cardiac ICU, and Resuscitation Medicine 

Kingston General Hospital 

Perioperative Medicine/Satellite Anesthesia

1 block

Kingston General Hospital

Neuroanesthesia

2 blocks

Kingston General Hospital 

Pediatric Anesthesia 

3 blocks 

CHEO  

Respirology/Thoracic Anesthesia 

3 blocks

Kingston General Hospital

Acute Pain
Chronic Pain
Regional Anesthesia 

3 blocks

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital/KOPI 

Obstetrical Anesthesia

1 block

Kingston General Hospital

Cardiac Anesthesia/Echo/TEE 

2 blocks

Kingston General Hospital 

Airway/ENT

1 block

Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital 

Vascular/Transplant/Thoracic 

2 blocks

 Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital

Transition to Practice (Total of 9 blocks)

 

Rotation Duration

Location/Notes

Perioperative Medicine/Satellite/Pre-Anesthesia Clinics

1 block     

 Kingston General Hospital/Hotel Dieu Hospital
Obstetrical Anesthesia

1 block

Kingston General Hospital 
Anesthesia 

7 blocks

Kingston General Hopsital/Hotel Dieu Hospital 

 

The Transition to Practice stage focuses on these areas listed below:

Independent practice

Quality Assurance 

Teaching

Leadership and Managerial skills

 

 

Electives during Foundations, Core and Transition to Pratice Rotations

Elective Rotations - Up to 6 blocks of elective time may be taken, which may include subspecialty areas of anesthesia, research or other areas of medicine which may contribute to the advancement of one's education in anesthesia. Electives are arranged in consultation with the Program Director.  Many residents undertake international electives and opportunities for anesthesia in developing countries is available.

 

Rotation

Duration

Location / Notes

Anesthesia  

6 months  

TBA 

The Academic Program

The academic program is based upon the National Curriculum, the Entrustable Professional Activities and the milestones as outlined by the Royal College, using academic seminars and independent study modules. These seminars run bi-weekly from September to June. The topics run on a two-year cycle for Foundations and Core and once a year cycle for Transition to Discipline. All Transition to Discipline, Foundations and Core residents attend these seminars. There are practice MCQ examinations.  Formal oral examinations are conducted in September and January of each year for all residents, and additionally in May for our Transition to Practice residents.

All residents are involved in our simulator program. The simulation program is tailored to resident level and compliment the academic seminar program. They provide an exceptional hands-on experience to complement the clinical learning opportunities.  These sessions are both educational and evaluative.

Foundations residents take part in Boot Camp and a 3-day Airway Workshop.  Time in the simulator is an important part of these courses.

Academic Program seminars are supplemented by weekly Grand Rounds (prepared by staff and residents) on Wednesday mornings, Case Management and Simulation Rounds on Friday mornings, Cardiac Anesthesia and TEE Rounds every other Tuesday morning, Ultrasound Guided Regional Anesthesia Rounds every month as well as Journal Club events 4-5 times per year.

The Visiting Professorship Program provides both our residents and faculty with continuing education and an opportunity to interact with recognized experts in our specialty.  We usually have three-four guest lecturers per year.

All residents are provided with formal instruction in the principles and practice of transthoracic echocardiography.  In conjunction with formal clinical hands on training in focused TTE, our residents are able to become proficient in the use of this modality.



Additional training

In addition, residents are continually exposed to, and gain experience in other areas such as anesthesia in remote locations (MRI, CV Lab, Radiology, etc), pre-anesthetic assessment clinics and trauma/emergency call. Obstetrical anesthesia and acute pain are both covered by residents while on call, as well as having a dedicated rotation in each early in their training.

All residents acquire certification in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), advanced trauma life support (ATLS), and neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) as part of their residency program. Residents receive support from the department for completion of these courses. Opportunities to undertake neonatal and pediatric anesthesia occur throughout the residency, and this experience supplements the mandatory three month rotation at a children's hospital (eg. CHEO). Residents are expected to do 1 month out of Kingston during their training in a community site (Peterborough, Humber River and Oshawa) in addition to 3 months away doing Pediatrics.

More information can be found on our website: http://anesthesiology.queensu.ca/



Research

Residents are expected, during their Core years, and with the guidance and help from the staff, to undertake a scholarly project.  These can be a clinical or basic sciences research project, a quality assurance project, a research project in the area of medical education, or any other scholarly project in areas relevant to academic anesthesiology.  All residents attend an introductory research course as well as core seminars on critical appraisal and research methods. In addition there are regular Journal Clubs throughout the year. Each spring Resident Research Day is the time the residents present their findings to a panel of judges. Many clinical projects have gone on to be presented at national and international meetings. These research projects offer a useful and interesting insight into the critical evaluation of the literature and into clinical research methods.

Residents receive support to attend annual conferences and present research papers, at the discretion of the Program Director.




Training Sites

Resources

Kingston Health Sciences Centre: Kingston General Hospital site and Hotel Dieu Hospital site

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (community experience)

Humber River Hospital (community experience)

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (pediatric anesthesia rotation)

Lakeridge Health Centre (Oshawa) (critical care, anesthesia)


Additional Information

The Surroundings

Kingston is a lovely medium-sized city in which to live. Settled more than 300 years ago, the historic buildings offer a quaint backdrop for the modern coffee shops and restaurants in the bustling downtown area. The hospitals are situated in close proximity to both Queen's University and the downtown area. Kingston General Hospital is located right on the shore of Lake Ontario where Olympic caliber sailing and windsurfing opportunities abound. Several nearby provincial parks offer superb canoeing, camping and other outdoor sports such as cross country skiing, biking, and triathlon.

The Health Sciences Complex enjoys a close relationship both physically and academically with Queen's University. Through Queen's, there is ready access to facilities for both the arts and athletics.


Summary of changes

SUMMARY ID Section Summary of changes Updated on NOTIFY APPLICANTS SECTION NAME Actions