Applicants are responsible for reviewing the University of Saskatchewan Policies for the R1 Match to determine if they meet all requirements and eligibility criteria. Failure to meet or provide proof of any of the stated requirements or documents may result in an applicant’s file not being reviewed or ranked.
CASPer Test
All applicants must complete the Casper test. More information is available under Supporting Documentation-CASPer Exam.
Licensing
Matched applicants must be eligible for an educational register license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) for a July 1st start date and must maintain eligibility for an educational register license throughout their entire training program. Matched applicants who are graduating in the spring will need to provide a copy of their medical degree/diploma to the PGME office and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) prior to the start of residency training. Any delays in providing all required documentation to CPSS may result in the following:
Applicants completing medical education at the University of Montreal, Sherbrooke, Laval, and the University of Ottawa (French stream) are required to submit proof of English language proficiency before the rank order deadline to demonstrate they meet CPSS requirements. More information is available under Supporting Documentation-Language Proficiency.
NOTE: Applicants who are considering a delay to their convocation date must be aware that a medical degree cannot be issued to a student until they have convocated. CPSS bylaws require that new residents must have received their medical degree prior to the commencement of residency training. Choosing to delay convocation will affect a matched applicant’s ability to commence their residency training program in Saskatchewan on July 1. Please refer to the U of S CaRMS Deferral Policy for additional information.
Credentialing
In order to commence and continue in Postgraduate Medical Education training programs, matched applicants must be eligible for and maintain privileges within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) as determined by their credentialing process. The SHA requires successful applicants to submit a current criminal record check as part of their pre-resident application for appointment. Applicants with criminal records will be considered on a case by case basis by the College of Medicine in consultation with the SHA.
Resident Boot Camp
All matched applicants must attend a mandatory three-day Resident Boot Camp scheduled for late June. The purpose of the Boot Camp is to provide additional support to trainees as they transition to residency by introducing and consolidating baseline skills and knowledge needed to flourish during their residency years. The program will include interactive case-based and hands-on practice sessions. There will also be a social event to provide trainees with the opportunity to interact and network among themselves. Stipends will be provided to trainees.
Attendance is required and absences are only permitted in exceptional circumstances, with prior approval of PGME.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Matched applicants are required to provide proof of ACLS certification (current as of July 1, 2023) to the PGME office prior to starting their training program. The ACLS course must be endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and/or the American Heart Association. ACLS training that is not certified by these two organizations and/or is completed entirely through an online course will not be accepted. Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with obtaining ACLS certification.
Program application language: English
All applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents at the time of application and must submit a notarized/certified photocopy of one of the accepted citizenship documents.
Proof of citizenship must be current at the time of application and expired documents will not be accepted.
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.
Language assessment document accepted: IELTS Academic
Language assessment document accepted:
Language assessment document accepted: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – General
Applicants will be required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language to meet licensing requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSS) of Saskatchewan.
CMGs/USMGs who completed their medical education at an English medical school in Canada or the US are not required to submit proof of English language proficiency.
Canadian applicants with medical education from the University of Montreal, Sherbrooke, Laval, and the University of Ottawa (French stream) are required to meet the English language proficiency requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan and must complete one of the language exams listed above.
Applicants who are required to complete a language exam must submit a valid test score to CaRMS by the program rank order deadline. Applicants who do not provide acceptable proof of language proficiency by the program rank order deadline will not be ranked.
Please direct any questions about language requirements or eligibility to della.toews@usask.ca. Applicants should not contact CPSS directly about their eligibility for licensure.
Three letters of reference are required, and must be written by faculty members or consultants.
Your medical school transcript can be submitted through one of the methods below:
For current year Canadian medical graduates (CMGs), there is no action required from you. Your medical school will automatically submit your MSPR to CaRMS on your behalf for you to assign.
If your MSPR is in a language other than the program language of English or French, you are required to have the document translated.
A personal letter must be submitted not to exceed 500 words. Your autobiographical letter should answer the following questions: - Why have you chosen Obstetrics and Gynecology as your professional career? - What experiences in your past have led you to choose this speciality? - What personal attributes do you possess that fit you for this career? - What aspects of our program are important to you? - Where and in what type of community would you prefer to practice upon completion of your training?
CASPer examYour CASPer assessment result is sent directly to CaRMS from Altus approximately one week prior to the application deadline. Please ensure that you give Altus permission to share your results with CaRMS.
The CASPer assessment is only valid for one admissions cycle. If you have taken the assessment in a previous year, you are expected to re-take it. To register for the CASPer assessment visit takealtus.com/casper.
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
Dates:
Our goal is for our residents to become exceptional clinicians, teachers and researchers in the dynamic field of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Our graduates will train to become outstanding surgeons who exhibit critical thinking at all times. It is our goal and committment to provide a program where exceptional is the norm. The residents will be well-rounded, socially conscious, scientifically minded scholars who practice patient focused care. They will be enthusiastic team players and demonstrate a positive work/life balance in a very demanding field of medicine.
Identify hard-working, enthusiastic learners, who wish to be part of a dynamic team.
Identify applicants that have a keen interest in obstetrics and gynecology
Identify applicants that will develop into excellent clinicians
Identify applicants that are able to adapt to the various demands of a busy residency, and demonstrate resilience
Idenitify applicants who are curious scholars willing to work hard to become champions of Women's Health Care
Identify applicants who show heart, determination and the prowess to be excellent surgeons
Identify applicants who exhibit a passion for social justice and demostrate a commitment to those less fortunate in our society
Identify applicants who demostrate intelligence, confidence and empathy in equal measure
Review team composition : The selection team consists of our 2 program directors, 2 faculty, and 2 senior residents from our program
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
the average number of applicants has been fairly consistent at 70-85 per year
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 26 - 50 %
we interview 40 applicants, roughly 50% of the persons who apply
File component | Criteria |
---|---|
CV | Optional |
Electives | Demonstrated aptitude and interest in the discipline |
Examinations | All applicants must complete a CASPer exam to be eligible for consideration |
Extra-curricular | Activities that demonstrate work-life balance |
Leadership skills | Optional |
MSPRs | Demonstrated positive interpersonal relations |
Personal letters | Demonstrated interest in discipline and program location |
Reference documents | Interpersonal skills and aptitude for the discipline |
Research/Publications | Optional: participation in research within this discipline is an asset but not a requirement |
Transcripts | Optional: we do not consider this in ranking unless there are significant deficiencies |
Other file component(s) | CASPer scores |
While we do wish to see at least one elective in obstetrics and/or gynecology, we do appreciate and reward applicants who have diversity in their elective choices.
Due to COVID-19, it is expected and anticipated that elective experiences are greatly affected and appropriate consideration will be taken when reviewing applications. We wish to assure applicants this will not impact the eligibility of their application during the review and selection process.
Interview format :
We may accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants due to weather, technology failure, or unforeseen circumstances.
Interview components | Criteria |
---|---|
Collaboration skills | Demonstrate ability to work in a team environment |
Collegiality | Behaviour and attitude towards others, including positivity +/- a sense of humour |
Communication skills | Ability to communicate in a succinct and direct manner |
Health advocacy | Identify applications to exhibit a passion for social justice and demonstrate a commitment to those less fortunate in our society |
Interest in the discipline | Demonstrated enthusiasm for care of patients in obstetrics and gynecology |
Interest in the program | Demonstrated knowledge of our program and location |
Leadership skills | We do not evaluate this interview component |
Professionalism | Correspondence/interactions with staff and residents |
Scholarly activities | Depth of knowledge about research that is on the application |
We are looking for the same thing as every program: human dynamos with a passion for the practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology!
Saskatchewan has a diverse geography and a bustling economy. Our urban centers are growing and have a lot to offer (jobs, housing, entertainment, restaurants, and services). Young families are moving here and having babies, so there is no shortage of obstetrical experience! You don’t have to be a Rider fan when you get here, but you will be one when you leave! Our total population catchment is just over 1 million. Residents can expect to find a large volume of a wide range of pathology. As such we are a distributed program, 4 positions in Saskatoon, 2 in Regina. Our programs are primarily in an urban setting with frequent forays into some smaller communities, notably the highly popular Prince Albert rotation. These rotations have been very well received.
A comprehensive framework of structured and protected academic time, including weekly subspecialty rounds, half day, biannual OSCE’s and monthly Grand Rounds are in place. Attending staff host Journal Club in their homes monthly from September to June. We have modern well equipped simulation labs in both Regina and Saskatoon, we are presently looking at 4 sessions per year. Our session leaders have extra training and a special interest in simulation.
At the University of Saskatchewan Resident input is crucial to running our program successfully. We are a large ‘small’ program making communication relatively easy. Our PD and assistant PD (Dr. Jennifer Duda and Dr. Kristine Mytopher) are based in Saskatoon, assistant PD (Dr. Jackie Ferguson) is in Regina. Residents are well represented in the running of our program. We are currently looking forward to our Annual Retreat, which takes place out of town in a spectacular Saskatchewan location. (It’s not all flat here!).
MIS is especially advanced in Saskatchewan with access to advanced, state of the art technology. Global ablation, hysteroscopic morcellation, TVT, TOT and TLH are routinely performed by Residents daily to name a few. Residents receive early exposure and training in all procedural skills.
In Saskatoon, obstetrical care takes place at JPCH (Jim Pattison Children's Hospital). This facility opened in the fall of 2019, and we celebrated 2 years this September. We have state of the art LDRP (Labor Delivery Recovery Postpartum) rooms and operating suites. Our floor also houses a comprehensive Maternal Fetal Unit (MFU) where ultrasonographers and MFM specialists care for our highest risk patients. When we moved into the new hospital, we also initiated an Indigenous Birth Support Workers (IBSW) program. This consists of a group of indigenous women who work on our floor full time and provide supportive, culturally safe care to any patients who request it. We envision a model of care that is the Gold Standard in Canada.
A full complement of elective and selective time is available throughout the 5 years. Residents either spend concentrated times with local subspecialists or generalist mentors. Some leave for out of province experience, several residents have travelled to Africa with our own consultants in the past few years.
We are very proud of our Residents, staff and program. The strength of our program is our residents. We have early developement of enhanced skills in the MIS, Urogynecology, Obstetrics and Oncology rotations. We value and encourage early hands on experience and consistently receive positive feedback regarding our Residents’ technical and surgical skills.
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
This is an integrated residency program involving five hospitals with over 10,000 deliveries annually. There are two tertiary care perinatal units and a provincial referral centre for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. There are currently 35 residents in the program. On July 1, 2019, all Royal College certified programs started conversion into “Competence By Design” (CBD), the Royal College’s version of competency based medical education. All incoming residents will be trained under this program.
The new CBD curriculum looks very similar to our current program of 5 years duration, but will be divided into 4 stages. Rotations are divided into 4 week blocks with 13 blocks per academic year. The expected duration of each stage is as follows:
Transition to Discipline - 2 blocks
Foundations of Discipline – 24 blocks
Core of Discipline – 33 blocks
Transition to Practice – 6 blocks
Total = 65 blocks = 5 years
Transition to Discipline
This is the first stage of an anticipated five year program meeting the certification requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. You will also be enrolled in the Surgical Foundations Program for 15 blocks with a final examination in the program that occurs in September of your second year of training. Residents will be scheduled for the first two blocks of training in the Surgical Foundations Boot Camp concurrently with time in obstetrics and gynecology in our home program. We anticipate that residents will complete the requirements of this stage in their first 2 blocks of training.
Foundations of Discipline
Residents complete core rotations in obstetrics, gynecology and critical care (ICU, Anesthesia, Trauma). The basics of obstetrics and gynecology will be taught in this stage.
Core of Discipline
Residents will then complete rotations in gynecologic oncology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, maternal fetal medicine and pathology. Significant elective/selective time is allowed to facilitate each resident's individual future career choices. Part of the senior years will also be spent as chief resident with administrative and teaching duties. Residents will complete the written portion of their FRCSC certification exam at the end of this stage which is expected to occur in the Fall of your fifth year of training.
Transition to Practice
This is the final stage of training. You’ve made it! This is a brief period of time at the end of training for you to hone all of those skills that you’ve accumulated in the previous stages and ready yourself for independent practice. The final Royal College OSCE examination occurs in Spring of your fifth year of training.
Research
Research is a requirement of the Residency Training Program at the University of Saskatchewan. Residents complete a Critical Appraisal Course in their first year.
Our expectation is that you complete a project during your time with us. The specific requirements are outlined by a Resident Research Committee. Progress reports are presented in poster form on an annual basis with a formal podium presentation in 4th year. All completed projects should be ready for submission for publication in PGY5.
Projects are suggested and developed with the help of our Resident Research Committee. Support for research projects is provided by faculty and staff. We have a dedicated Research Assistant at each site. Their single most important guideline is taking residents through the technical aspects of their project including study design, statistical analysis and analyzing data.
We encourage residents to write up case studies when specific rare cases of pathology present themselves.
Protected research time is allotted in each block.
Funding is available to support resident research and travel to conferences to present research findings.
Seminars
Saskatoon Hospitals
Jim Pattison Children's Hospital
Royal University Hospital
Saskatoon City Hospital
St. Paul's Hospital
Regina Hospitals
Regina General Hospital
Prince Albert Hospital
Prince Albert Parkland Health Region
Moose Jaw Hospital
Moose Jaw Union Hospital
Distributive Learning at the University of Saskatchewan
The College of Medicine, while physically located in Saskatoon, is a provincial resource in attitude and in practice. Postgraduate medical education at the University of Saskatchewan takes seriously its role in supporting quality health care to all people of the province. This means training physicians to meet the needs of, not only urban populations, but also those of rural and remote populations. In so doing, the College of Medicine has developed, and continues to develop, rotations in Regina and other communities. These rotations are designed to provide educational experiences to enhance the resident's knowledge and skills, and take maximum advantage of unique educational opportunities in a diversity of communities. All postgraduate programs are expected to develop and incorporate into their curriculum, rotations in communities other than Saskatoon. The manner in which each program does this is not strictly prescribed by the College of Medicine - but is determined by the Residency Program Committee, taking into consideration the needs of their residents, and the excellent opportunities available in other locations. These rotations continue to evolve as we seek to build stronger and better programs. We currently have mandatory rotations in Community Hospitals outside of Saskatoon and Regina in the first and fourth years of training.
Extensive support is available for out of town rotations. The exact nature of this support varies with location and program. The communities involved, individual programs, the College of Medicine, and the Ministry of Health work collaboratively to ensure residents are not financially disadvantaged by the need to relocate for a rotation. While all residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of educational experiences in other communities to ensure a well rounded education, the amount and format of such time is determined by the program committee.
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