Program Contacts

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Important Information

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.

Note that UBC Urology has initiated curriculum implementation of CBD in 2018 and all new recruits to the program will enter CBD training.

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 in both CBD and traditional programs will include the completion of a Royal College examination; however, residents in CBD programs will also 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.

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Le Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada : Intégrer l’approche par compétences à la formation des résidents

Le Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada a lancé une initiative qui intègre l’approche par compétences à la formation médicale postdoctorale spécialisée et à la pratique professionnelle pour favoriser la réussite des médecins canadiens et améliorer la prestation de soins de qualité aux patients. Cette initiative, La compétence par conception (CPC), vise à adapter la formation médicale et l’apprentissage à vie des médecins aux besoins changeants des patients et permettre aux apprenants de s’« approprier » leur processus d'apprentissage pour améliorer les soins aux patients.

La CPC mesurera l’acquisition progressive des compétences dans un cadre temporel, mais n’utilisera pas la durée de la formation comme base d’acquisition. Nous ne nous attendons pas à ce que la durée de la formation change pour la plupart des stagiaires. Les programmes de résidence seront divisés en plusieurs étapes, et chaque étape sera assortie d’une série de jalons liés aux compétences requises. Ceux-ci permettront de cibler les résultats d'apprentissage et de procéder à des évaluations formatives plus fréquentes en milieu clinique pour que les résidents développent les compétences requises et reçoivent une rétroaction pertinente.

Les programmes qui adopteront la CPC seront encore soumis aux mêmes processus d’agrément rigoureux que les programmes traditionnels. Les programmes sous la CPC (et les programmes traditionnels) mèneront à l’obtention d’un certificat du Collège royal. Les stagiaires inscrits aux programmes sous la CPC et aux programmes traditionnels obtiendront leur certificat s’ils réussissent l’examen du Collège royal; cependant, les résidents des programmes sous la CPC seront aussi évalués en fonction des jalons établis par leur programme tout au long de leur formation. C’est donc dire que les stagiaires inscrits à un programme sous la CPC doivent avoir réussi tous les jalons (consignés dans un portfolio électronique) ainsi que l’examen du Collège royal pour obtenir leur certificat.

Pour plus d'information, écrivez à l'adresse cbd@collegeroyal.ca.

 

 

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

Please contact the Program Assistant to find out information such as UBC Open Houses, events and to join the Program Slack where you can find a FAQ regarding questions from previous applicants answered by our residents and faculty, as well as join in conversations with the current Program residents.

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Supporting Documentation / Information

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Review Process

Applications submitted after file review has opened on December 2, 2023

Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened  on  December 2, 2023

Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on December 2, 2023

The UBC Urology Postgraduate Training Program ("the Program"), recruits new trainees through the CaRMS system annually and all faculty and residents are invited to take part in providing input throughout the process.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. 

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Interviews

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria are based on a review of academic records, letters of reference, curriculum vitae and personal statement of career ambitions and goals.  An outstanding academic record is required in addition to a demonstrated interest and aptitude for urology and surgical procedures.

Program goals

The mission of the UBC Department of Urologic Sciences Postgraduate Training Program is to nurture leaders in Urology and launch careers. The UBC Department of Urologic Sciences encompasses 5 main academic training hospitals and over 30 key opinion leaders in Urology as mentors throughout the training duration. We endeavor to develop graduates who go on to become leaders in their communities, their hospitals, departments, associations, and globally. This may take the form of Urology advocacy and teaching, or Hospital and Health administration, or Health economics and business, or academic research innovation. We mentor our trainees to become excellent Urologic Surgeons and also support their graduation into exceptional subspecialty Fellowships and Faculty positions thereafter.

Selection process goals

The successful applicant to the UBC Urologic Sciences training program will demonstrate qualities of commitment, resilience, 'grit', amicability and teachability. We recognize that surgical training programs place stresses on candidates lives in multiple domains including: relationships, family, emotional/psychological/physical health and personal development. The successful candidate must be willing and able to negotiate the oftentimes difficult lines between external stressors of training and personal growth and satisfaction, which can be at odds on occasion. The successful candidate will likewise also recognize that Urologic training is an intermediate to a lifetime of career opportunity and personal fulfillment. Amongst all traits to be possessed by the applicant, the most treasured is that of teachabilty; the ability to listen actively, to learn from seeing, to ask questions and remain inquisitive, and to rapidly integrate those learnings into practice in facile manner.  In our program, we generate excellent Urologic surgeons through enormous clinical caseload and close mentorship in the OR and clinics, but our emphasis is in launching careers built on CanMEDS intrinsic roles as well as value add training including advocacy, entrepreneurship, governance, committee work, technical/outcomes/basic research and business development. These domains are taught with an intent to equip the UBC graduate with the skills required to effectively launch a career and any domain of their choosing.

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   

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Program Highlights

We acknowledge and are grateful to live and work on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, and Səl ̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

 

ABOUT UBC

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world and recently recognized as North America’s most international university.

Since 1915, our motto, Tuum Est (It is Yours), has been a declaration of our commitment to attracting and supporting those who have the drive to shape a better world. As a result, UBC students, faculty and staff continue to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo, placing us at the forefront of discovery, learning and engagement. UBC encourages bold thinking, curiosity and initiative, so you can realize your greatest potential.

 

Vision

Inspiring people, ideas and actions for a better world.

Purpose

Pursuing excellence in research, learning and engagement to foster global citizenship and advance a sustainable and just society across British Columbia, Canada and the world.

 

Values

 

 

ABOUT VANCOUVER

 

• Vancouver is consistently ranked one the world’s most livable cities. The bustling downtown core is just minutes from world-renowned ski resorts, pristine beaches and natural forest.
• Vancouver is called “Hollywood North” because of the large number of movies and TV shows filmed in and around the city. These have included The X-Files, Mission Impossible, Twilight, X-Men, and Fifty Shades of Grey. Visit Tourism Vancouver’s new film portal for more information.
• In January 2018 Vancouver was named among the best cities to live and work as a movie maker by Movie Maker Magazine.
• Vancouver has produced top artists, actors and musicians including Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan, Wanting Qu, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds, Seth Rogan, Jeff Wall, Douglas Coupland, and Jason Wu.
• Hootsuite, Flickr, Lululemon, Plenty of Fish, and Lions Gate Films are all companies that were founded in Vancouver. Non-profit environmental organizations Greenpeace and Adbusters also started here.
• In an age of instant global communication, Vancouver is fortunate to be in a time zone that allows access to all three centres of world commerce (London, New York, Hong Kong) in a single working day.
• Vancouver’s award-winning airport (ranked best in North America for the tenth consecutive year) is less than half an hour from downtown and is connected by a light rail train called the Canada Line that was built for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
• Vancouver has hosted major international events including Expo ’86, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the HSBC Canada Ruby Sevens, ISU World Figure Skating Championships, the World Junior Hockey Championships.
• The City of Vancouver has set the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s greenest city by 2020.
• Vancouver is well-known for urban planning and design. In fact, “Vancouverism” has become global shorthand for sustainable urban development.
• Vancouverites’ enjoyment of the mountains and ocean has spurred development of a performance and technical apparel industry that is conquering world markets (notable companies include Lululemon, Arc’Teryx, Hershel, Native and RYU).
• Vancouver embodies multiculturalism not as a slogan but as part of everyday life. The city is renowned for world-class cuisine that fuses cultural ingredients and influences with local sourcing and sustainable practices.

 

A SAMPLING OF RANKINGS

• Capital of Food: Vancouver – The Economist’s1843 (2018)
• Best Places to Live and Work – Movie Maker Magazine (2018)
• 2^nd Best Country Globally: Canada – US News & World Report (2017)
• #1 Highest-Rated Destination Site for a Business Meeting – STR’s DestinationMAP (2017)
• Best in Destinations Canada – Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards (2017)
• 2017 Destination of the Year: Canada – Travel + Leisure (2017)
• Best Cities in the World – Conde Nast Traveler (2017)
• #1 Startup City in the World – PeoplePerHour Startup City Index (2017)
• 3^rd Most Liveable City in the World – Global Liveablity Report (2017)
• Favourite Canadian City – Travel Press Agents’ Choice Awards (2017)
• One of the World’s Best City Beaches: English Bay – The Guardian (2016)
• Best Destination in Canada – Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards (2014, 2015)
• Top 10 cities in the USA and Canada - Travel + Leisure (2013)
• Best quality of living in North America, fifth best quality of living in the world – Mercer (2012)
• Best Airport in North America – The World Airport Awards (2011)
• World’s most livable city – Economist Intelligence Unit (2010)

 

INNOVATIVE COMPANIES BORN IN VANCOUVER

• Hootsuite – social media management system with more than seven million users in 175 countries.
• Arc’Teryx – technical outdoor apparel company
• Lululemon – yoga wear company
• Herschel Supply Co. – trendy backpacks and duffel bags (sales soared by 900 percent between 2010 and 2011)
• Flickr – image and video hosting website
• Slack – productivity and communication platform for organizations
• Plenty of Fish – free online dating website employing 66 people in Vancouver
• Mountain Equipment Co-Op – outdoor recreation apparel cooperative founded in 1971, now across Canada
• Lions Gate Films – one of the most successful film distributors in the world, founded here in 1997
• Greenpeace – international environmental organization, founded here in 1972
• Indochino – online menswear company
• Native – purveyors of foam form shoes.
• Six Hundred Four – a boutique shoe gallery with shoes designed by local artists. A chunk of the proceeds go to charity

 

VANCOUVER BY NUMBERS

• PlentyOfFish employs over 75 staff in Vancouver, and deals with the romance of 60 million users
• HootSuite has close to 1,000 staff located in Vancouver and worldwide, and more than 15 million users in more than 175 countries
• Vancouver boasts more than 1,500 yoga classes a week—not bad for a city of only 600,000
• Amazon has 50,000 square feet of office space set to open by 2020, and aims to add 1,000 tech jobs
• Going local: 49% new local food and green jobs have been introduced since 2010
• By 2020 the city will require all new buildings to be constructed with carbon neutral operations. Since 2007, there has been a 43% decrease in greenhouse gases (per square mile) from new buildings.

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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.

Curriculum

The UBC Department of Urologic Sciences provides training in all aspects of urology including uro-oncology, renal transplantation, endo-urology, pediatric urology, reconstructive urology, urodynamics and andrology/infertility.  The duration of the program is five years following medical school graduation. 

Strengths of the program include a very high volume of clinical material covering all aspects of urology.  Especially strong training is available in urologic oncology and transplantation.  Separate pediatric urological rotations are mandatory.  A very high pass rate has been obtained on the Royal College examinations over the past 25 years.

We do not have a mandatory rural rotation.  We offer elective time in the PGY-4 year which can be rural, urban community, or academic.

Curriculum follows RCPSC Urology CBD format.  (http://www.royalcollege.ca/rcsite/cbd/competence-by-design-cbd-e)

Research

All residents have ongoing research projects under the preceptorship of the staff Urologists.  Active research is being carried out in uro-oncology, pediatric urology, reconstructive urology, urolithiasis, bibliometrics and outcomes assessment.  No formal rotations are assigned to laboratory research.  Residents are well supported by the Department to attend local, national and international meetings to present their research projects.

Seminars

Academic activities include weekly grand rounds, weekly chapter review rounds and a blend of resident seminar rounds, radiology rounds, uropathology rounds and professor's rounds during a weekly academic half day.  The academic schedule is prepared by the incoming PGY5 residents in conjunction with the program director.  In addition, there are weekly case-based and indication rounds conducted at each of the teaching hospitals.

On an annual basis mock oral and OSCE examinations are conducted for all PGY3-5 residents and on a weekly basis for residents in the final year of preparation for Royal College examinations.

Evaluations are carried out by in training reviews, mock oral examinations and by the annual American Urological Association In-Service Examination.

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Training Sites

Resources

-Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre (VGH Site)

-Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre (UBC Site)

-St. Paul's Hospital

-Mount St. Joseph's Hospital

-B.C. Children's Hospital/B.C. Women's Hospital

-B.C. Cancer Agency

-Community Hospitals (Richmond, Lions Gate, Royal Columbian, Surrey, Langley, Peace Arch, Chilliwack, Eagle Ridge, Ridge-Meadows, Abbotsford)

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Additional Information

 

Funding is available for residents to attend a number of meetings and review courses through the five year program.

Funding is provided for the first year residents to obtain surgical loupes and custom Program apparel.

Textbooks, journal subscriptions and society memberships are paid for by the Department.

Laparoscopic simulators are provided to each trainee including instruments on entry to the Program.

Please email the program admin to join the internal Program SLACK where candidates and current Trainees can mingle and ask questions over the course of the CaRMS application cycle.

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FAQ

There are typically two uro-oncology fellows training at VGH site.  There may be one endourology fellow depending on the year.  There may be one fellow in pediatric urology depending on the year.

UBC offers a Clinical Investigator Program for residents who wish to pursue research training or obtain a graduate degree during or after the residency.