Program Contacts

---

Important Information

The Postgraduate Medical Education Orientation for all residents, which is MANDATORY, will be held on June 29, 2023

Required for Application:

The CASPer Test - Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics 

All applicants to the Psychiatry Residency Program, at the University of Manitoba are required to complete an online assessment (CASPer), to assist with our selection process. Successful completion of CASPer is mandatory in order to maintain admission eligibility.

CASPer is an online test which assesses for non-cognitive skills and interpersonal characteristics that we believe are important for successful students and graduates of our program, and will complement the other tools that we use for applicant screening. In implementing CASPer, we are trying to further enhance fairness and objectivity in our selection process. CASPer scores are used during the file review process for ranking of applicants to the program.

In order to take CASPer, you will be responsible for securing access to a computer with audio capabilities, a webcam, and a reliable internet connection on your selected test date. CASPer can be taken practically anywhere that you can satisfy the aforementioned requirements. No exceptions will be provided for applicants unable to take CASPer online due to being located at sites where internet is not dependable due to technical or political factors.

Please go to www.takeCASPer.com to sign up and reserve a test using your student identifier and a piece of government-issued photo ID. You will be provided with a limited number of testing dates and times. Please note that these are the only testing dates available for your CASPer test. There will be no additional tests scheduled. Please use an email address that you check regularly; there may be updates to the test schedule.

Please direct any inquiries on the test to support@takecasper.com. Alternatively, you may use the chat bubble in the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the takecasper.com website.

The CASPer test is comprised of 12 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. 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 takeCASPer.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test.

CASPer test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.

---

General Instructions

Program application language: English

The University of Manitoba Psychiatry training program offers a supportive and welcoming learning environment. Residents are active and central members of the department of psychiatry, and the community as a whole comes together to ensure excellence in education.

Our program has been able to develop an excellent balance between the biological and psychological perspectives of treating psychiatric illness.  Residents receive expert training in biological and somatic treatments as well as a high level of training in several modalities of psychotherapy.

Application

It is preferred that all required documentation is available at the time of the opening of the application review period.  Documents submitted after the deadline will be reviewed and considered to the extent possible given the timing of those documents becoming available.

Interview Information

Virtual interviews only, to be held via Zoom. Interviews will only be considered for those candidates with completed applications.  Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted by Ms. April Bodnarchuk (204) 787-3610.

The selection process includes two interviews of approximately 30 minutes each; one conducted by a committee and one by the residency program director.  .

Candidates will be selected on the basis of a demonstrated interest in, aptitude and motivation for a career in psychiatry. Selection criteria include recent clinical clerkship and elective experiences in psychiatry, prior residency training in psychiatry or clinical work in the mental health field, along with relevant life experiences and test results. References from clinical supervisors that address an applicant's potential for work in psychiatry are very helpful. Demonstrated proficiency with the English language as evidenced through the nature of undergraduate courses completed including university level English courses, publications, the submitted personal letter and/or IELTS scores are also selection criteria. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated interest and curiosity about the human experience are important criteria that are explored in the interview process. Interest and experience in scholarly work and research are viewed as valuable assets.

While elective experience in psychiatry is an asset on-site electives are not required for application to our program.  We are looking for candidates that have completed electives in a broad range of topic areas that include our specialty and are enthusiastic about working with residents from a variety of backgrounds.

 

---

Supporting Documentation / Information

---

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

Applications, references and documents which arrive after the deadline may not be able to be considered.

All completed applications submitted by the time the file review period has opened will be considered for selection for interview.

---

Interviews

Dates:

• February 14, 2023
• February 15, 2023
• February 16, 2023
• February 17, 2023
• February 21, 2023
• February 22, 2023

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be selected on the basis of a demonstrated interest in, aptitude and motivation for a career in psychiatry as well as an interest in rural practice for the Brandon Stream. Selection criteria include recent clinical clerkship and elective experiences in psychiatry, prior residency training in psychiatry or clinical work in the mental health field, along with relevant life experiences. References from clinical supervisors that address an applicants's potential for work in psychiatry are very helpful. Demonstrated proficiency with the English language as evidenced through the nature of undergraduate courses completed including university level English courses, publications, the submitted personal letter are also selection criteria. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a demonstrated interest and curiosity about the human experience are important criteria that are explored in the interview process. Interest and experience in scholarly work and research are viewed as valuable assets.

Program goals

The five-year residency training program in Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba is a well established, thriving and growing program designed to produce psychiatrists with broadly based academic and clinical expertise. Residents receive clinically based training with a focus on mastering all aspects of psychiatric practice  including biological and psychological therapies. The University of  Manitoba program also focusses on the care of vulnerable and underserved populations, and exploring models to deliver effective mental health treatment to distant areas.

Selection process goals

Successful applicants to the residency program will demonstrate academic excellence, excellent communication skills, and a history of advocating for patient mental health. CVs, and application packages are reviewed to assess these attributes and they are also assessed during the interview process. As an aspect of our selection process, applicants learn about the unique opportunities available at the University of Manitoba, including opportunities to develop mental health resources and deliver care to various vulnerable populations. The selection process is viewed as occurring collaboratively with applicants.

File review process

Evaluation criteria :

Elective criteria

Interview process

Interview evaluation criteria :

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

Specifically, we may consider:
Social interaction during program related events
Communication with program administration
Social media
Unsolicited reference letters
Unsolicited email references
Unsolicited verbal information on a candidate's prior performance
Unsolicited feedback from colleagues and co-workers

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   

---

Program Highlights

Program Highlights

The five-year residency-training program in Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba is a well established, thriving and growing program designed to produce psychiatrists with broadly based academic and clinical expertise. 

The Brandon stream provides the opportunity to train in a friendly rural city and gain a perspective of psychiatry services in rural setting while maintaining the benefits of a connection to an urban program in terms of elective experiences, psychotherapy supervision and academic teaching.

We see our responsibilities as including the following:

1. To train psychiatrists who are fully qualified to practice within the complex, changing field that is modern psychiatry.
2. To provide a breadth of exposure and opportunity for in depth training in the many varied aspects of psychiatry appropriate to the candidate's chosen community of practice.
3. To provide a formal education program which prepares the residents not only for success at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (RCPS) specialty examinations but will also fulfill the many roles of a competent physician including:

• Medical expert/clinical decision maker
• Communicator
• Collaborator
• Medical manager
• Health Advocate
• Scholar
• Professional

4. To continue to change and evolve our training program in response to the changing needs of residents, community and the specialty of psychiatry.

The program is designed to meet these objectives through several overlapping approaches including clinical rotations, didactic seminar series, psychotherapy training program, research, community-based experiences and continuing education. 

As our program is growing we have maintained all the advantages of a medium- sized program.  We have all of the resources of a larger program and the welcoming, friendly and personal atmosphere of a smaller program.  Training in our program will leave you ready to comfortably move into your career as a psychiatrist.

---

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.

Curriculum

The PGY-1 year is a basic clinical training (BCT) year, designed to meet the requirements of the Royal College and to prepare trainees for Part II of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).

There is a protected time academic half day from PGY-1 through PGY-5 when the core academic didactic series occurs. In addition, clinical service rounds, general departmental teaching rounds, continuous case seminars and grand rounds are available for all residents. An ongoing interview skills and OSCE course done by former RCPS examiners at both teaching hospitals is available for PGY-1 to PGY-5 residents.

Residency enhancing opportunities exist in psychiatric teaching, psychiatric research, and rural/remote clinical work.

PGY-1

The PGY-1 is a Basic Clinical Training (BCT) year preceding four years of formal psychiatric training.  The resident matched to the Brandon stream will spend the first six blocks of training in Winnipeg and then switch to Brandon for the final six blocks of the PGY-1 year. 

During the second half of PGY-1 residents begin psychotherapy training consisting of weekly psychotherapy sessions with one patient and supervision sessions in a group format.  This is incorporated into the Academic half day and represents a unique and early exposure to psychotherapy training, which reflects the department's commitment to psychotherapy training overall.  Residents in the Brandon stream will start their psychotherapy in Brandon.

There is a weekly academic half-day (protected) which covers the areas of pharmacology, psychopharmacology, research methodology and an introduction to the main models and formats of psychotherapy seminars in psychiatry over the course of the PGY-1 year. The second half of the protected academic half-day series is clinical in nature and includes training in interview skills and initiating an individual psychotherapy case with psychotherapy supervision provided in a small group format. The inclusion of psychotherapy training in the PGY-1 year represents an early exposure and reflects the program's commitment to and strengths in the area of psychotherapy training.  The Brandon stream resident will attend academic half-day via audiovisual link when in Brandon.

PGY-2

This year is composed of one 12-month block of adult inpatient psychiatry and adult outpatient psychiatry, which will be done in Brandon.  Part of the clinical experience in Brandon will include exposure to the delivery of psychiatry in more rural locations surrounding Brandon. A core seminar series runs, in addition to the clinical service rounds, grand rounds, general departmental teaching rounds and workshops for all residents. The core seminar series occurs during a protected 1/2 day and covers a variety of areas including, phenomenology diagnosis, psychotherapeutic modalities and psychopharmacology.  The resident will link to rounds by audiovisual link from Brandon. One individual psychotherapy supervisor is assigned at the beginning of this year. (Residents are also assigned to a two-hour Family Therapy Clinic in pairs and have supervised experience in supportive psychotherapy).

PGY-3

This year consists of two, 6-month blocks, one in each of geriatric psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.  Both the six-month block of child and adolescent psychiatry and the six-month block of geriatric psychiatry will be done in Brandon.  The geriatric psychiatry rotation may be done either be done in Brandon or Winnipeg. There is a core seminar series throughout this year, the focus of which is both child and adolescent psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.  The seminar series is taught by the faculty members from the sections of child and adolescent psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.  The seminar series in PGY-3 enhances and consolidates understanding of normal and pathological development throughout the life span.  As of the PGY-3 year, residents are assigned to two individual psychotherapy supervisors.

PGY-4

The PGY-4 year includes 6 months of consultation-liaison psychiatry and 6 months of chronic care.  The Brandon resident may do the consultation-liaison rotation either in Brandon or Winnipeg. In addition there are longitudinal experiences in Shared Care/Collaborative Care that occur throughout the PGY4 year. The PGY-4 academic half-day constitutes an advanced seminar series covering the topics of object relations theory, self psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, advanced psychopharmacology and research issues, ethics, palliative care and mood and anxiety disorders, professional development, office practice,  etc.

PGY-5

The PGY-5 year consists of 6 months of elective time and 6 months of selective training.  Residents can chose from a wide variety of elective rotations.  Our program has approximately 35 different rotational experiences available as an elective.  The Brandon resident will spend the last year in either Brandon or Winnipeg.The PGY-5 academic half-day is comprised of group study time and an exam preparation course.Formal psychotherapy supervision continues through the PGY2-5 years of the program and opportunities for training in a wide variety of psychotherapeutic modalities are significant components of the overall program.Clinical oral examinations are held annually for all PGY2-5 residents.  Written examinations are held at the end of each of PGY 2,3 and 4.The Department of Psychiatry provides financial support for residents to attend and/or present at conferences and workshops.

The University of Manitoba Department of Psychiatry has a Royal College accredited subspecialty residency program in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  It is anticipated that subspecialty programs in both geriatric Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry will be developed in the near future.

Research

The development of resident research skills is an important focus of the training program.  All residents are provided with teaching in this area.  All residents are encouraged to participate in academic projects within the scope of their individual interests.  All residents are required to complete at least one publishable research paper prior to the completion of PGY4.  Resident presentations at cross service rounds, departmental grand rounds and academic meetings are an important part of the residency training program.  Up to one year of residency, during PGY5 elective/selective time may be dedicated to research.

The opportunity to spend one month during PGY1 in a research elective is also available to interested residents.

Residents are strongly encouraged to present their research projects at our Annual Resident Research Day.

There is also a Research Track available during residency with a focus on the creation of clinician scientists.  The Department of Psychiatry will provide research track residents additional support and mentorship to foster the development of research as a significant component of their future career.

---

Training Sites

Resources

The Brandon teaching sites include the Center for Adult Psychiatry (CAP), the Center for Geriatric Psychiatry (CGP), and the Child and Adolescent Treatment Center.   CAP and CGP are located at the Brandon Regional Health Center. Residents will also participate in the Town Center Clinics and in rural clinics when in Brandon. The major teaching sites in Winnipeg are at the PsycHealth Centre a state of the art facility at the Health Sciences Centre, the McEwen Building at the St. Boniface General Hospital and the Victoria General Hospital. Elective opportunities exist at the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre. Community training experiences are available at community hospital based clinics and hospitals including the Selkirk Mental Health Centre. Community psychiatry experiences in Northern Manitoba and the Arctic are available through the Northern Medical Unit which provides for exposure to the unique health care needs of Aboriginal and Inuit communities.

 

Brandon Information

The city of Brandon (population 52,000) is the second largest city in Manitoba and is located 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg.  Major industries are related to agriculture as well as retail and government services for the surrounding Westman area.  Brandon is also home to Brandon University, Assiniboine Community College as well as the Brandon Wheat Kings.  Brandon is known as an excellent host city and most recently hosted the 2010 Memorial Cup.

 

The Brandon Regional Health Center is the regional referral center for Western Manitoba with a referral population of approximately 150,000.  It has 313 beds including a nine-bed ICU and 11-bed NICU. There are six Surgical Suites with an additional minor procedure theatre plus another theatre dedicated to Obstetrics. BRHC features a full range of diagnostic services including MRI, CT, Ultrasound, Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Neurophysiology, Nuclear Medicine and Westman Regional Lab, as well as electronic health record connections between hospital and clinics. There is also rehab, waiting placement and palliative care units. The Health Centre has both an Acute Psychiatric Centre and a Geriatric Psychiatric Unit along with an off campus Child Adolescent Treatment Centre.

 

---

FAQ

*Due to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all interviews will be conducted virtually.

 

Where are interviews held?

All CaRMS interviews are held at the PsycHealth Centre which is part of the Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg.  Our facility is located on the Bannatyne Campus of the University of Manitoba.  The address is 771 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

How long should I plan to be in Winnipeg for interviews?

Each applicant offered an interview will have two interviews with members of the Department of Psychiatry.  Out of respect for the hectic travel schedule implicit to the CaRMS process we will attempt to schedule both interviews during the same half day.  There is also an information session during the lunch hour each interview day that outlines more highlights of our program.  In addition, there are social events held either the evening prior to interviews or the evening following interviews that applicants are invited to attend.

 

Where should I stay when I visit Winnipeg for interviews?

Please contact Andrea Klymasz, our program assistant, for information about accommodations while in Winnipeg. One convenient option for accommodations during the interview period is the Canad Inns Destination Health Sciences Centre.  This hotel is conveniently located on the Health Sciences Centre campus.