Program Contacts

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Important Information

Please be aware that most, if not all, hospitals and Universities in Ontario have mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in place that require, in the absence of a valid medical or human rights exemption, proof of vaccination. Acceptable vaccination must be in accordance with Health Canada. You will be required to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to the appropriate institution if matched. Failure to comply and provide the appropriate documentation may result in the termination of the contract. These guidelines could change at any time in accordance with future direction from the Ministry of Health or the Universities based on information from Public Health.  

 

The University of Toronto has deferred the use of the CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire (CSIQ) responses until the 2024 R-1 Match. PGME is seeking to learn from the experience of other schools in the 2023 CaRMS match with a view to piloting this initiative in 2024 R-1 Match. 

For the 2023 R-1 Match - If you assign the CSIQ to any University of Toronto program the programs will NOT be able to view the content of your CSIQ response. There are programs which provide applicants other opportunities to self-identify as a member of an equity seeking group. Please see individual program descriptions for details.

Applying competency-based practices to Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery 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.  All levels of training are now fully immersed in the CBD curriculum.

CBD will use time as a framework and competency as the basis for progression. It is not anticipated that the duration of training will change for trainees. Residency programs will be broken down into stages, and each stage will have a series of “Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA’s)” based on required competencies. These EPA’s are based on milestones that are assessed by frequent, formative assessments within the clinical workplace to ensure residents are developing and receiving feedback on the skills they need.

All programs implementing CBD will continue to undergo the same rigorous accreditation processes as traditional programs. All CBD programs (and traditional programs) will continue to lead to Royal College approved certification. Certification for trainees will include the completion of a Royal College written and applied examination.Within a CBD program, all EPA’s(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.

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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 17, 2023

Selection Criteria

Program goals

The Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at the University of Toronto is at the forefront of medical education for our specialty at the undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels. The residency training program has fully transitioned to a competency based curriculum and is leading innovation in residency education. Notable examples include the development of a multi-teaching site competency based medical education curriculum, an on-line smartphone program that allows for the completion of assessments in real time, and the infrastructure for multi-input, committee-based promotion decisions. Continuing education continues to be a significant component of our education portfolio. The Department offers a number of courses for trainees, community and academic otolaryngologists and allied health professionals with world-class faculty and innovative teaching methods. The courses have been recognized for their excellence with several teaching awards.

The education program attracts highly motivated trainees with an annual enrollment of 25-30 residents and over 20 clinical and research fellows.

Selection process goals

The candidates we are looking for are bright, have excellent interpersonal skills, good clinical judgment, high ethical and professional standards and have a real interest in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery in either academic or community practice. Demonstration or presumed sufficient bimanual dexterity and hand eye coordination to perform delicate surgery is highly desirable.

We are looking for the best candidates for our specialty so preference is not given to any particular medical school. We make our selections based on the dossier you submit as well as personal interviews. Interviews are mandatory and will take place on Friday, February 17, 2023, conducted virtually.  The interviews will involve meeting with faculty and residents.  The major factors that influence our ranking are: the strength of the academic record, the letters of reference and the interviews.

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.

This Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery program at the University of Toronto consists of 1 year of Surgical Foundations training followed by 4 years of specialty training at University of Toronto teaching hospitals.

In core surgery, 13 blocks are in rotations undertaken in general surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, medical imaging, anesthesia, and critical care medicine. These rotations provide an important knowledge base to complement the core otolaryngology training. 7 months of clinical otolaryngology and 4 months of otolaryngology research comprise the remainder of the 2 year core training. Otolaryngology rotations for PGY1 residents are usually provided at the University Health Network (UHN), the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC), and St. Michael's Hospital (SMH). PGY2 residents also have a 1 month otolaryngology rotation at North York General Hospital (NYGH). The PGY2 4-month research block is undertaken with the supervision of a clinical or basic science researcher after formal proposal and discussion/approval of the project by Dr. Alain Dabdoub, the Director of Research for our Department, and Dr. Vincent Lin, the Program Director.

The PGY3 year involves 12 months of clinical otolaryngology at University of Toronto teaching hospitals (usually SH, HSC, SHSC, and/or UHN). PGY3 residents spend a total of 2 weeks in the Division of Anatomy at the University of Toronto learning from anatomy professors, dissecting cadaver specimens, and teaching head & neck anatomy to first year medical students.

The PGY4 year involves 10 months of clinical otolaryngology at University of Toronto teaching hospitals (usually SH, HSC, THP, SMH, SHSC, and/or UHN). The PGY4 resident is the senior resident at THP and HSC. PGY4 residents have a 3-month block that consists of a facial plastic surgery rotation, elective rotation, sleep medicine rotation, and head & neck pathology rotation.

The PGY5 year involves 12 months of clinical otolaryngology at University of Toronto teaching hospitals (usually UHN, SH, SMH, SHSC, and MGH). The PGY5 residents are the senior or chief resident during each rotation. They have an unparalleled exposure to all aspects of otolaryngology-head & neck surgery and by the end of their year are expected to function at the consultant level.

The graded responsibilities of residents are clearly outlined to them by the Program Director and the site co-ordinators/hospital chiefs during their orientation sessions at each new rotation.

Since July 1, 2008 all University of Toronto residents entering PGY1 are required to complete the web based PGCorEd* core competency modules as part of their residency program certification. These modules provide the foundation for non-clinical roles for the RCPSC and CFPC Programs.  These modules are focused for PGY1 & PGY2 trainees.  Failure to complete the modules may constitute professional misconduct and/or prevent promotion to the next PGY level.

A.T.L.S. Training:

Certification in Advanced Trauma Life Support (A.T.L.S.) is provided and funded by our Department for all PGY1 residents.

Fellows:

The University of Toronto teaching program is not only a leader in the education of residents, but also in the education of postgraduate fellows. There are a large number of clinical and research fellowships offered for advanced training. However, it is made absolutely clear that residents have first priority for any learning experience, including the operating room. The fellows are considered unique to our program in bringing outside experience and knowledge. Our residents have found them to be excellent teachers and have formed lasting friendships. We consider the fellows a uniquely positive addition to our training program. Prospective candidates are encouraged to speak with our current residents about the positive impact our fellows have had on their education.

Electives:

There is a great deal of flexibility in choosing electives anywhere residents wish. However, residents must submit to the Program Director, a written request detailing the nature of the elective, the proposed dates, a set of objectives and the name, affiliation and address/telephone/e-mail of the supervisor.

Subspecialties

Our program provides a full range of adult and pediatric care over seven institutions. General otolaryngology exposure is integral and available in all teaching hospitals, particularly at St. Michael's Hospital, Michael Garron Hospital and Trillium Health Partners Hospitals. The bulk of otolaryngology care in these three institutions can be defined as "general otolaryngology".

In addition to general otolaryngology, the following institutions also provide sub-specialty training as follows:

UHN: head & neck surgery/reconstruction, otology/neurotology and skull base surgery

SH: head & neck surgery emphasizing endocrine surgery, rhinology and sinus surgery

SMH: laryngology, rhinology, endocrine head & neck surgery, skull base surgery

HSC: pediatric otolaryngology

SHSC: otology/neurotology, skull base surgery, head & neck surgery/reconstruction

MGH: sinus surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, facial cosmetic surgery

THP: otology, sinus surgery, pediatric otolaryngology

NYGH: otology, sinus surgery, laryngology, pediatric otolaryngology

St. Joseph's Health Centre: general otolaryngology

 

Didactic and Practical Skills Courses

There is a substantial program of didactic and practical skills courses arranged for residents during their 5 year residency. During the PGY1 year, residents attend the Surgical Foundations lecture series given weekly by the Department of Surgery. PGY2 residents usually take the Royal College Surgical Foundations examination in the first half of their year, which is a pre-requisite to taking the final Royal College exam in Otolaryngology-HNS. In addition, PGY1 residents attend a prep camp in July and refresher course in September at the Surgical Skills Centre, Sinai Health. The curriculum covers the full range of basic surgical skills (airway management, suturing, bone plating, lasers, etc.). At the end of the program in the spring of each year, PGY1 residents undergo a practical skills assessment exam and are graded against residents in all of the other surgical specialties.

PGY2 to PGY4 residents have protected academic time each Friday morning from 9am to 12pm during the academic year for core lectures. This is a 3 year cycle of lectures given by faculty within and outside our Department as required. The lectures cover all aspects of otolaryngology management as well as specific lectures on the 7 CanMEDS roles, ethics, and epidemiology/critical appraisal. At the end of each block of lectures, residents write a 3 hour exam in the same format as the final Royal College exam (short answer). In addition to core lectures, residents have 2 temporal bone drilling sessions in the Surgical Skills Centre during core lecture time.

PGY3 residents spend the equivalent of 2 weeks in the Division of Anatomy. They receive didactic head & neck anatomy lectures and interactive seminars from Division of Anatomy professors. Residents dissect cadaver specimens and are demonstrators (teachers) for first year University of Toronto medical students. Where possible, otolaryngology faculty participate to show residents surgical anatomy.

PGY4 residents participate in a fellowship study course organized by our Department each academic year. The lectures are held on Mondays for 2-3 hours and again cover the major topics in otolaryngology-head & neck surgery. The course is revised each year with input from the most recent graduates and the current PGY5 residents.

Residents are invited and encouraged to attend the 8-10 continuing education courses held each year organized by our Department. Residents in their PGY4 year are sponsored to attend the annual American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery meeting or the Annual Canadian Otolaryngology Review Course. Wherever possible, residents are encouraged to attend scientific meetings related to otolaryngology-head & neck surgery.

Practice Exams

Practice exams are an integral part of our training program. In addition to a practice Surgical Foundations exam, PGY1 practical surgery skills exam, and core lecture exams, our residents write the National In-Training exam (NITE) each year. The National In-Training exam questions are submitted by otolaryngology faculty across the 13 Canadian training programs and all PGY2-PGY4 residents across the country take the exam. Results are tabulated by resident year and sent to each resident and program.

Practice oral exams are an integral part of the training program. The PGY1, PGY2, PGY3, and PGY4 year will usually undergo 2 sessions with 4-5 examiners each year (i.e., 8-10 practice oral exams) and the PGY5 residents will undergo 3-4 sessions with 4-6 examiners each year (i.e., 20-30 practice oral exams). After each exam, residents are sent their marks for each station compared with their peer's marks. More importantly, residents are given specific written comments from the examiners regarding their performance. The PGY5 residents in particular have found these practice oral exams an invaluable experience and tremendous preparation for the final Royal College exam.

PGY-1

• Otolaryngology - 7 months
• Anesthesia - 1 month
• Neurosurgery - 1 month
• Adult Emergency Medicine - 1 month
• Internal Medicine - 1 month
• Medical Imaging - 1 month

PGY-2

• Otolaryngology - 4 months (research)
• General Surgery - 2 months
• Otolaryngology at North York General (NYGH) - 1 month
• Plastic Surgery - 3 months
• Intensive Care Medicine - 2 months

All PGY1 residents participate in the Surgical Foundations course within the Department of Surgery. PGY1 residents participate in a unique hands-on surgical skills training program on a weekly basis during the academic year.

PGY-3

This is a year of clinical otolaryngology. Trainees have ten months of rotations at University of Toronto Teaching Hospitals, as well as 1 month of elective. In addition, PGY3 residents have a unique opportunity by spending 2 weeks of dedicated time in the anatomy laboratory and teaching head & neck anatomy to first year medical students.

PGY4 and PGY5

Two years of clinical otolaryngology - head & neck surgery at University of Toronto teaching hospitals including a minimum of 3 months of community otolaryngology (Michael Garron Hospital & Trillium Health Partners).  A 3-month block comprising of a pathology rotation, a 1-month facial plastic & reconstructive surgery rotation, a sleep medicine rotation and a 1-month elective are included in the PGY4 or PGY5 year. Residents in their PGY4-PGY5 years generally spend 3 month rotations at the University Health Network, Sinai Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Michael Garron Hospital, and Trillium Health Partners.

Research

One of the mandates of the University of Toronto Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery is to train the community and academic leaders of tomorrow. An important aspect of our training program is to foster clinical and basic science research. In his capacity as the Director of Research for our Department, Dr. Alain Dabdoub oversees the research agenda in collaboration with 4 PhD researchers and 8 research laboratories.

A dedicated 4 month research block takes place in the PGY2 year through a mentorship program; research projects are presented at our annual Percy Ireland Academic Day during the spring of each year. Trainees who are interested in pursuing a career in academic otolaryngology are encouraged to take advantage of the clinician scientist program through the University of Toronto. Some residents pursue advanced degrees (e.g. clinical epidemiology, surgeon scientist, education, health economics) during their residency training but this is not a requirement of our program.

Rounds

There are numerous weekly academic teaching sessions, hospital rounds, quality assurance rounds (M & M rounds), and grand rounds during the academic year. Residents are responsible for preparing hospital based rounds and PGY2-PGY4 residents give departmental grand rounds once per year. Residents also prepare and present at journal club with articles focused around a particular subject or theme and include the teaching of clinical epidemiology and critical appraisal.

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Training Sites

The University of Toronto Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery Program is fully integrated. Affiliated hospitals are:

• Sinai Health (SH)
• St. Michael's Hospital - Unity Health Toronto (SMH)
• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC)
• University Health Network (UHN) - Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital
• Hospital for Sick Children (HSC)
• Michael Garron Hospital (MGH)
• North York General (NYGH)
• St. Joseph's Health Centre (SJHC)
• Trillium Health Partners (THP)

http://www.otolaryngology.utoronto.ca/our-hospitals

• We have the largest and most comprehensive training program in Canada

• We have significant depth and cover all subspecialties within otolaryngology-head & neck surgery

• Most of our core teaching faculty are recognized national leaders in otolaryngology-head & neck surgery and many are considered international leaders

• We have extremely well-organized and comprehensive didactic and hands-on skills training to cover the depth and breadth of otolaryngology-head & neck surgery

• Our residents are very happy

• Once our residents have completed their training, they possess unique skills and unparalleled experience to enter a community setting or initiate a career in an academic setting

• Many of our residents and fellows go on to assume leadership roles in both academia and the community

• Our research programs and support are innovative, comprehensive, and award winning

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Additional Information

1. Permanent Residents: Successful applicants who hold Permanent Resident status in Canada will be required to disclose their Country of Citizenship to the postgraduate medical education office in order to comply with current reporting requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
2. Matched applicants: CaRMS will provide their electronic data file to the matched university’s postgraduate education office. The postgraduate office will share the information as needed, but not limited to, the Ontario Physician Human Resource Data Centre, Canadian Post-MD Education Registry, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario, teaching hospitals and other training sites, Touchstone Institute and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
3. Changes: The Ontario Faculties of Medicine and Ontario Ministry of Health reserve the right to make changes to the information published on the CaRMS website pertaining to Ontario postgraduate training without prior notice.
4. Failure to meet or provide proof of any of the stated requirements may result in the applicant file not being reviewed and removed.

Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery is a broadly based discipline involved in the diagnosis and management of disease occurring above the clavicles and largely outside the orbit and cranial cavity. As such, it encompasses many systems and involves a very broad area of medical practice, including communication disorders, hearing loss, neurotology, skull base surgery, head and neck surgery, endoscopy, facial and reconstructive surgery and allergy in all age groups. The faculty has a broad range of skills with leaders represented in virtually all sub-disciplines. Very close relationships exist, including cross-appointments, with a number of other disciplines such as radiation oncology, pathology, and certain of the basic sciences. The discipline is vital, changing and growing. It is very exciting to be a part of this specialty.