Program Contacts

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Important Information

CASPer Test is now REQUIRED

All applicants to Western University Diagnostic Radiology in the 2023 CaRMS application cycle are required to complete the CASPer Test (Altus Suite).  Implementing CASPer is an online test that assesses non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics.

The CASPer test comprises 12 sections of video and written scenarios, following which you answer a set of probing questions under a time contract.   The test typically takes between 75-90 minutes to complete.  Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program.  No studying is required for CASPer, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at TakeAltus.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.  We urge you to take advantage of the 12-section practice test, which will not only immerse you in the test environment but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test.

The CASPer test has a fee of about  $100 (CAD) which is paid by you ONE time in any cycle, regardless of the number of programs to which you reply that require it.  Test dates for postgraduate programs are November 24 to December 15, but please check their website in case dates change.  After your results are processed you will be notified by CaRMS to log in so that CaRMS will assign your CASPer score to those programs to which you've applied who require it.  You will not receive your own score.  CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle.  Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will need to re-take it, since your score is reported as a z-score within the cohort of all other applicants of the same year.

Visit TakeAltus.com to create an account.

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

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Supporting Documentation / Information

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Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 10, 2023

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  January 10, 2023

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 10, 2023

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Interviews

Dates:

• February 22, 2023
• February 23, 2023

Selection Criteria

Many factors are considered in selecting candidates to the program. These include (in alphabetical order only):

-interest in radiology

-letters of reference

-scholarships

-strong interpersonal skills

-teaching and research interests

 

Program goals

To lead in radiology residency training through education, research and innovation.  To provide excellent training in the specialty of radiology through an accredited program with a CanMEDS based curriculum.  Develop expertise in all radiologic subspecialties and modalities with an emphasis on professional development.  Obtain experience in research, quality assurance, teaching and multi-disciplinary collaboration.  Establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Selection process goals

A successful applicant would be required to have excellent communication and collaboration skills in addition to the other CanMEDS roles during the interview and with supporting documents.  Must be well-rounded, hard working, have a positive attitude, a great work ethic, have flexibility, determination and be a team player with the ability to work in harmony with co-workers; be eager and willing to add to their knowledge base and skills.

File review process

Evaluation criteria :

Elective criteria

Interview process

Interview evaluation criteria :

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

We do not consider any information gathered outside of the CaRMS application and local interview processes.

Ranking process

The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :
Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior   
Did not attend interview   
Interview performance was not competitive   

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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.

Residency Training Program Start Date - All programs at Western commence on July 1, 2023, with a one-day orientation in London, Ontario through Western University on a date to be announced. 

The Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program at Western University is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. It is a mid-size program with about 20 residents (usually 4/year). PGY1 is a basic clinical year. PGY2-5 rotations are all in diagnostic imaging. The core rotations meet Royal College Specialty Training Requirements and provide experience with all the modalities and body systems. Elective time occurs mainly in PGY5.

PGY-2

The goals of the PGY2 year are an introduction to the core areas of radiology as well as preparing the resident to begin call, which usually starts in December. Most rotations are one block long. Residents rotate throughout the city and all residents do the same rotation complement (but at different times throughout the year). There are rotations in general radiology, abdominal imaging, chest imaging, bone/musculoskeletal, ultrasound, CT, neuroradiology and an introduction to mammography.

PGY3 & PGY4

The PGY3 & PGY4 years consist of subspecialty radiology rotations covering all the core areas of Radiology, plus Nuclear Medicine. Each year there is one mammography rotation. All residents have the opportunity to attend the four week American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) Radiology/Pathology Correlation Course which is usually taken in the PGY4 year. Time for research is permitted at the discretion of the program. 

PGY5

The focus of the PGY-5 year is review, consolidation and exam preparation. Residents are given greater responsibility and at the completion of their residency they should be functioning at the level of a junior consultant. Core rotations include general radiology (2 blocks) and mammography (1 block). Senior residents have considerable flexibility choosing rotations in their final year.

 

 

Research and Teaching

The Western Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program is designed to teach and evaluate specialty physician competencies as defined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada . These competencies include Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional. In order to achieve expertise in these competencies, research and teaching by residents is mandatory. Residents are required to participate in two research projects during their residency. One may be a "minor" project such as a case report or a report of a small case series. The other project should be a formal research project following the scientific method.  Residents are given a longitudinal research block that would allow them to utilize up to 20 research days throughout their PGY2-5 years.  It is expected that residents will present their work at the annual resident research day. The program runs a journal club approximately four times per year, and residents are expected to present one article per year. Medical student teaching is an essential part of the program and we seek applicants with a strong interest in teaching.

Resident Education

1. Radiology Case Rounds

-approx 1 hour per day, each site

2. Academic Half-Day

-variety of topics covered in greater depth

-Thursday afternoons (2-5 pm)

3. Visiting Professor Series

-excellent all-day sessions, often by well-known radiologists

-3-4 per year

4. Physics Course

-week-long didactic course given by physicists

5. PGY1 academic summer series - CANMEDS and other topics

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Training Sites

Resources

Teaching Facilities - There are three teaching hospitals in London:

1. Victoria Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre:

Victoria Hospital is a 441 bed acute care hospital with all specialties represented except cardiac surgery and neurosurgery. The Children's Hospital of Western Ontario is integrated with Victoria Hospital. All clinical services are busy, and include the adult and pediatric emergency departments. Victoria Hospital is the level 1 trauma centre for southwestern Ontario. The London Regional Cancer Centre is located at this campus and is also integrated with Victoria Hospital. The large radiology department at Victoria Hospital was recently expanded and updated and contains state-of-the-art equipment. There are 2 MRI scanners, two 64-slice CT scanners, 10 ultrasound units, 3 angio rooms and modern general radiography equipment. A new tower to accommodate an expanded pediatric service and obstetrics has opened.

2. University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre

University Hospital is a 303 bed acute care hospital with many busy clinical services including cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, transplant service and busy medicine and surgical services. Internationally recognized imaging research is conducted at the Robarts Research Institute located adjacent to University Hospital. University Hospital is situated at the north end of the Western University campus. The radiology department at University Hospital is currently being renovated and expanded. There is modern equipment throughout including two MRI scanners, two 64 slice CT scanners, and modern Ultrasound and angiography equipment.

3. St. Joseph's Health Care London

St. Joseph's Hospital has been transformed into an ambulatory care centre with out-patient surgery. Specialized clinical services at St. Joseph's Hospital including the hand and upper limb clinic, ophthalmology, rheumatology and urology. A brand new radiology department with state-of-the-art equipment opened in 2006 at St. Joseph's Hospital including a 64 slice CT. St. Joe's also has a PET/MR scanner and 3 MRI's.

1. All residents are given the opportunity to attend the AIRP radiology/pathology correlation course in Washington, DC, USA. The cost of tuition of the course is covered by the program, and residents receive up to $4,000 (Canadian) to offset the cost of travel, accommodation and meals.

2. Residents presenting an abstract or displaying a poster at a major radiology meeting will have their expenses paid.

3. Residents are entitled to a one time stipend of $500 (Canadian) to offset the cost of attending a major radiology meeting (eg. CAR, RSNA, ARRS) if not presenting or displaying at the meeting.

London is a leader in the regional integration of PACS. All London teaching hospitals as well as several peripheral hospitals share the same state-of-the-art PACS system. There are ample reporting stations for staff radiologists and residents at all three teaching sites.

The hospitals of London serve as a tertiary referral centre for a large geographic area of southwestern Ontario, extending from Windsor and Sarnia to the west, up to Owen Sound in the north and to Kitchener/Waterloo and Brantford to the east, with a catchment area of greater than 1 million.

The Department of Medical Imaging uses a region-wide PACS which has Academic Folders for teaching files, and also STATDx, another excellent resource.

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Additional Information

London is located in southwestern Ontario at the forks of the Thames River. It is a medium-sized city with a population of 383,000. Well-known for its hospitals and the University, the city also has a diverse economic base including commerce and industry. The climate is reasonable as the city is located less than 100 miles from the most southern point in Canada (Pelee Island). Sandy beaches on the shores of Lake Erie at Port Stanley and Lake Huron at Grand Bend are only about an hour away. London boasts over 40 kilometers of paved multi-use recreational pathways along the Thames River, which are popular for jogging, cycling and roller blading. In addition, Budweiser Gardens, a 10,000-seat stadium, has been attracting many high-profile musicians and entertainers. London is a fun, clean and attractive place to live and work!