Please be aware the Ministry of Health has mandated all hospital and health care employers establish, implement and ensure compliance with a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Ministry directive can be reviewed here. Residents matched to any Ontario residency program must ensure they are able to comply with the Ministry directive in order to start training July 1, 2022.
It is important to understand this is an evolving issue. You are required to review Provincial, Hospital, University and Program information to ensure you are in continued compliance with directives.
All candidates must meet the Ontario Criteria of Eligibility found here.
MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada qualifying examination) Part 1 results:
Trainees will be required to disclose their MCCQE Part 1 examination results if taken, upon entry into any of the University of Ottawa's training programs. Please note that the MCCQE Part 1 is not a requirement to begin residency. The purpose of this disclosure is to allow for resources to be provided to the few residents who would benefit from extra support early in their residency in an effort to maximize their success.
Failure to meet or provide proof of any of the stated requirements may result in an applicant’s file not being reviewed or removed from the Rank Order List.
In addition to our CMG stream, starting in 2021 our program is also offering a Research Intensive Residency stream (RIRS).
In order to be considered for the RIRS stream, applicants must apply to both the CMG and RIRS streams and be invited for interviews and ranked within both streams.
For more information, please see the information provided in the RIRS stream description.
Program application language: English
All candidates must meet the Ontario criteria of eligibility.
Proof of legal status must be submitted to CaRMS by the File Review opening deadline. (Photocopies acceptable). No other forms of verification are acceptable.
The following must be accompanied by photo ID; e.g. driver's license, health card, or other government-issued photo I.D.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY APPLIES TO CMG's (Canadian Medical Graduates) only if the Medical Degree language of instruction is in FRENCH.
Proof of language proficiency will also be accepted as follows:
Written attestation from the applicant confirming the ability to work in English, both written and spoken.
Important: It is at the discretion of the program, who may require further proof of a language test or letter from a school official after File Review has begun.
References should be from attending staff.
See Selection Criteria.
A personal letter is required (maximum 600 words). This letter should contain information on why you are choosing pediatrics, reflecting on your clinical experience to date, previous experience with children, long term goals, extracurricular activities, reason for considering the University of Ottawa Pediatric Program. This letter is an opportunity to highlight anything that may not be reflected in your CV.
Custom Résumé / CV Medical School TranscriptOrder from your registrar.
Medical Student Performance Record
(Dean’s letter) Order from the Undergraduate Office.
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
Once all of the files have been reviewed, applicants will be contacted regarding an interview and interview details will be provided. Applicants who will not be granted an interview will also be notified.
An email notification will be sent on February 18, 2022 .
Due to the limited number of interviews we can provide, unfortunately there will be excellent candidates who will not get an interview. Requests for reconsideration of status will not be accepted.
Dates:
The everyday work of a pediatrician can look very different in different settings. Residents graduating from our program will be well prepared to meet their career goals for pediatric practice in the setting of their choosing, be it rural or urban, community-based or in an academic center. Our program provides learning opportunities in all of these settings. In addition to a strong foundation in core pediatric clinical skills and patient-centered care, our residents will have exposure to all of the CanMeds roles including scholarly work, research and advocacy. Our resident team is a close-knit group who are highly motivated and support each other both at work and outside work. Our resident team is integral to the functioning of our program, and we highly value their leadership and input into all aspects of their training and work. We provide our residents with a safe and supportive learning environment where they are challenged to achieve their full potential
The University of Ottawa Pediatrics program aims to train excellent pediatricians who are committed to optimizing the health and well-being of all children, youth and families in the communities they serve. Selection criteria are based both on current attributes and future potential, recognizing that past behavior and achievements are the best predictors of future performance.
Review team composition : Our CaRMS Selection Committee is composed of a diverse group of engaged general paediatrics and subspecialists, from both CHEO faculty as well as hospital-associated community providers.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 201 - 400
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 26 - 50 %
There are 80 interview spots.
File component | Criteria |
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CV | Extra-curricular activities, research experience, community involvement, prior education |
Electives | Broad range of electives, including in paediatrics |
Examinations | We do not evaluate this file component. |
Extra-curricular | Involvement in academic, community or volunteer programs, including length and paediatric experience |
Leadership skills | Participation in academic leadership role/community programs, incl. length and degree of commitment |
MSPRs | Review for “red flags” or academic awards |
Personal letters | Interest in paediatrics, incl. role of past clinical/personal experiences; fit with U of O program |
Reference documents | Extent of relationship/supervision; work ethic, teamwork skills, screening for unprofessionalism |
Research/Publications | Review experience incl. degree of involvement in research projects; # of publications/presentations |
Transcripts | Review for “red flags”, gaps in training |
Other file component(s) | We do not require applicants to have done electives at our centre. File reviewers are provided with any supplemental feedback or comments from CHEO supervisors or current residents if a CHEO elective was completed. |
There are no specific requirements this year, given COVID-19 restrictions. Please rest assured that your applications will not be negatively impacted by being unable to complete pediatric electives or to complete an elective at CHEO.
For electives in Pediatrics, the program may contact any elective supervisor listed on your CaRMS application. We do not preferentially rank candidates with pediatrics electives. Diversity of clinical experience is appreciated.
Interview format :
We routinely accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants.
Interview components | Criteria |
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Collaboration skills | Ability to work within a team structure and collaborate with colleagues |
Collegiality | Support for colleagues in difficulty; team-based mentality |
Communication skills | Approach to workplace conflict, difficult conversations |
Health advocacy | Reflection on how physicians can support others to find their voice. |
Interest in the discipline | Reflection on interest and aptitude for career in pediatrics |
Interest in the program | Reasons for considering the University of Ottawa Pediatrics Program |
Leadership skills | Characteristics of a good leader (calmness under pressure, teamwork) assessed throughout stations |
Professionalism | Approach to bioethically sensitive topics; degree of insight and self-reflection |
Scholarly activities | Opportunity given to discuss past research experience |
Quick Facts |
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This residency program is for 4 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
The program meets the requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the pediatric training for certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Pediatrics. For residents beginning in July 2021, the Competence By Design (CBD) curriculum will be officially launched. The 4 stages of CBD are mapped over 4 years, after which residents can choose to apply to a subspecialty. The Department of Pediatrics at UOttawa includes academic general pediatricians, community consultant pediatricians and academic subspecialists.
Our philosophy is geared towards providing a solid foundation in general pediatrics and we are committed to providing each trainee with pediatric experiences individualized to his/her personal career goals. Residents, by the end of their training, have had the opportunity to develop the confidence and skills needed to practice general pediatrics expertly in any sized community or practice setting, or to move on into additional subspecialty training.
Our training site offers a multitude of experiences in a variety of hospital and community-based settings, including: Adolescent Medicine, Anesthesia, Advocacy/Social Pediatrics, Ambulatory Care, Cardiology, Child Protection, Consulting Rural Pediatrics, Complex Care, Development, Diabetes Camp, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Genetics, Hematology/Oncology. Infectious Diseases, Inpatient Medicine (CTU), Metabolics, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Newborn Care, Orthopedics, Palliative Care, Pediatric Intensive care, Mental Health, Radiology, Research, Respirology, Rheumatology, SPOT/IV team, Surgery, Transport medicine.
Transition to Discipline and Foundations of Discipline
The first two stages of residency will give the trainee a solid base in general pediatrics. Residents will participate in an initial onboarding period during Transition to Discipline. By the end of the Foundations of Discipline stage, the resident will be skilled in the diagnosis and initial management of less-complex pediatric conditions and presentations.
Core of Discipline
Now that the trainee has acquired foundational knowledge of the field of general pediatrics, the Core of Discipline stage is designed to provide a deeper exposure to subspecialty areas of pediatrics and to encourage the resident into taking a leadership role in the care of each patient. At this stage the resident will progress into more senior and supervisory roles, where the trainee is entrusted with the management of ward and/or ambulatory patients, including those with complex problems. The resident also takes on the responsibility of supervising more junior trainees. In the latter half of this stage, the resident assumes supervisory roles both in their daytime and on call activities. This stage encourages the development of skills in prioritization, clinical judgment and increasing self-confidence. To encourage the integration of knowledge from different areas of pediatrics, the resident will work in both outpatient and inpatient settings. At this stage residents will be provided with the opportunity to participate in a monthly longitudinal clinic.
Transition to Practice
The Transition to Practice stage is designed for the refinement of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in the preceding stage and provides more flexible time to target training opportunities dependent on the resident’s chosen career path and goals. Residents identify and work towards meeting their own learning needs with a variety of experiences including ambulatory and in-patient blocks, At this stage residents will progress to a junior attending supervisory role in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Education and Assessments:
Residents in our program have protected time to attend regular teaching sessions in addition to an Academic Half Day. The Academic Half-Day rotates through a 3-year core curriculum that includes teaching in general and subspecialty pediatrics as well as exploring topics related to other CanMeds roles such as advocacy, leadership and professionalism. Multiple simulation experiences in both acute care as well as communication skills are also a part of the training. Residents participate in individual observed history/physicals twice per year. In addition, formative OSCE examinations are held twice a year, as preparation/practice for the Royal College certifying examination in pediatrics; these are part of national OSCE collaboration between all other pediatric programs. Residents in the first three years of training will write the annual American Board of Pediatrics in-training examination every July, as well as biannual MCQ/SAQ Canadian In-Training (CITE) practice exams.
Scholarly Activities:
Scholarly initiatives are a required component of pediatric residency training. Each resident must lead or demonstrate significant contribution to a scholarly project during their training. Their project can be related to any aspect (research, education, clinical care, advocacy, quality improvement) of Pediatrics. Our program offers excellent support guidance and instruction through expert faculty mentors and the resident Scholarly Activity Guidance and Evaluative (SAGE) Committee. Our residents present their scholarly projects at our program’s annual Resident Research Day, and many residents also disseminate their scholarly work at national and international meetings or through peer reviewed publications. Residents who wish to further develop their research and scholarly activity portfolio as a major component of their future career are well supported and mentored by several CHEO-based child-health researchers with nationally and internationally recognized research programs.
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is a tertiary care children's hospital that provides the only pediatric inpatient services in the Ottawa-Carleton region and serves a referral population of over 1,500,000.
The University of Ottawa residency training program in pediatrics, based at CHEO, has excellent patient volume and diversity in both the inpatient and outpatient units. The program exposes residents to primary, secondary and tertiary level models for provision of care to children. There are numerous subspecialty rotations available, many of which also offer Royal College accredited subspecialty training.
The program attracts the top students from across the country who are interested in a career in consulting or subspecialty pediatrics. Residents are chosen based on their academic potential and interest in pediatrics, problem-solving capability, communication and interpersonal skills. The size of the pediatric residency program and the number of faculty and fellows ensure that all residents have superb opportunities for hands-on clinical work, developing teaching skills, and actively participating in research and/or child health advocacy.
Our medium-sized hospital provides a work environment that is friendly and supportive. The focus is on patient- and family-centred care and the multidisciplinary team highly values its resident members. The Postgraduate Medical Education Committee carefully evaluates and incorporates feedback from the residents through the Annual Resident Retreat and resident representation on the PGME Committee.
Whilst valuing clinical experiences above all as the best means of learning pediatrics, the program provides time for a structured academic curriculum, using a format of seminars, lectures, interactive discussions and journal clubs. The curriculum for this is planned by the PGME Education Subcommittee, which includes resident representation. Protected time includes weekly Grand Rounds, Residents' Academic Half-day and monthly Morbidity and Mortality rounds which provide excellent learning experiences for the residents. The Postgraduate Medical Education Committee carefully evaluates and incorporates feedback from the residents through the annual resident retreat and resident representation on the PGME committee. The teaching faculty enjoy sharing clinical experiences, expertise, education and feedback with the residents.
The Departments of Pediatrics at the University of Ottawa and Queen's University have enjoyed a liaison between pediatric programs. We also have a very close association with residents in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Pediatrics Program. The NOSM residents spend several months per year at CHEO and University of Ottawa residents have the opportunity to experience community consulting pediatrics during a mandatory rotation in North Bay, or elective experiences in Sudbury or Thunder Bay.
In their senior years, University of Ottawa residents spend a mandatory 6 weeks in remote pediatrics providing pediatric care in Canada's North. This third/fourth year rotation provides excellent experiences in triage, stabilization and cross-cultural medicine. The residents highly value and evaluate this rotation, from both the clinical experience perspective, but also for the opportunities it provides to experience more remote Canadian geography and culture.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Applying competency-based practices to residency education.
To contribute to the success of Canadian physicians and the delivery of high-quality patient care, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has embarked upon an initiative to introduce competency-based medical education (CBME) in Canadian postgraduate specialty training and in professional practice in Canada. This initiative, called Competence by Design (CBD), aims to enhance patient care by aligning medical education and lifelong learning with evolving patient needs and empowering learners to more fully engage in their education process.
CBD 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 milestones based on required competencies. These milestones 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 Royal College anticipates that all specialty and subspecialty programs in Canada have adopted CBD in gradual phases. All disciplines have been divided into seven cohort groups, each of which will adopt CBD at different times. Pediatric programs across Canada have transitioned to the CBD model in July of 2021.
All programs implementing CBD will continue to undergo the same rigorous accreditation processes as traditional programs. Residents in CBD programs will be assessed against program milestones throughout their training. Within a CBD program, all milestones (documented within an electronic portfolio) and the Royal College examination must be successfully completed to achieve certification.
For more information, please contact cbd@royalcollege.ca.
Unique Opportunities :
The rural/remote pediatric rotations in our program offer many unique experiences not available in other center. Our program also offers a longitudinal Advocacy Curriculum which includes an Advanced Pediatric Global Child Health course, co-hosted with McGill. Following participation in this course many of our residents go on to participate in international and global health electives.