To obtain a postgraduate training license after the conclusion of the match, Canadian Medical Graduates (CMG's) must have registered and challenged the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCCQE 1) by July 1, 2024. Those unsuccessful in the exam are subject to the decision of the regulatory authority regarding licensure.
Program application language: English
You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of application.
Only three letters of reference are required and only the first three will be considered. Naturally, they will NOT be accepted from friends, family members, or fellow trainees (residents, post-grad research colleagues, etc.).
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.
In your own words, please provide us with this one additional page (500-550 words) of information that is relevant to support your application. Longer letters will not be read.
Ophthalmological ReportAn ophthalmologist's/optometrists report stating the cadidate's visual status, including stereopsis is advisable. Applicants are to upload this document.
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 CARMS Selection Committee will be chaired by the Program Director. Members of the Committee may be faculty members, residents, and other healthcare professionals. The CARMS Selection Committee will be composed of individuals with interest, experience and expertise in assessment and medical education relevant to ophthalmology. The CARMS Selection Committee members interpret multiple sources of qualitative and quantitative observation data to achieve consensus, where possible, in order to make judgments on outcomes.
The CARMS Selection Committee will be responsible for:
Dates:
The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences provides high quality ophthalmological care for the population of Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada, delivers excellent medical education programs and conducts internationally recognized research in a collaborative and innovative environment. Our training program strives to maintain an environment of inquiry and scholarly activity, through research, education and innovation.
We are looking for and rewarding applicants who have completed a broad range of electives including our specialty, with an emphasis on:
-An exceptional academic record, which demonstrates special proficiency in those subjects including those related to our specialty.
-Ideal candidates are those with an interest and proven experience in research, either in basic science or clinical research.
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as documented fine motor abilities are essential.
-Honesty, empathy and sensitivity are key attributes in all our successful candidates
-A track record of valuable extra-curricular activities is an asset in demonstrating a well-rounded personality and community commitment.
Our program and university value the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in residency education, and achieving a diverse and inclusive group of residents is a goal in our selection process.
Review team composition : The CARMS Selection Committee will be chaired by the Program Director. Members of the Committee may be faculty members, residents, and other healthcare professionals.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
This number has grown over recent years and expect it to continue growing
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 26 - 50 %
File component | Criteria |
---|---|
CV | Not included in application package |
Electives | Evaluations & reference letters from electives completed at our site and/or others |
Examinations | We do not evaluate this file component. |
Extra-curricular | Hobbies, volunteering, athletics and other artistic activities |
Leadership skills | Positions held in student associations and other organizations |
MSPRs | Strong academic standing |
Personal letters | Interest in Halifax and Ophthalmology & evidence of personal growth |
Reference documents | Interaction with Faculty, staff and patients, while being dedicated, reliable and with a strong work |
Research/Publications | Research work to date and interest in future projects |
Transcripts | Reviewing record of past academic performance |
Evaluations & reference letters from electives completed at our site and/or others are reviewed as part of the file review 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 | Evidence of being able to work in a team environment |
Collegiality | Ability to work with peers, faculty and staff |
Communication skills | Answers interview questions in a clear and concise manner |
Health advocacy | Demonstrates health advocacy within their community |
Interest in the discipline | Demonstrated interest in Ophthalmology through previous electives and research |
Interest in the program | Knowledge of Halifax and Dalhousie |
Leadership skills | Positions of leadership held (organizations, committees etc) |
Professionalism | Interaction with interview panel, including mannerisms. |
Scholarly activities | Candidates demonstrates scholarly activity |
State of the Art Facilities
An adult Eye Care Centre, which opened in 1998, includes state of the art outpatient clinical, research, surgical and inpatient facilities. The functional planning of this unit has been designed to ensure the best training environment. This is in addition to the modern pediatric eye care clinic and a visual science research laboratory at the medical school. All research and clinical facilities are within 15 minutes walking distance and are part of an extensive tour on the interview day.
Teaching Program
Teaching to residents is provided through clinics, rounds, formal didactic sessions, an extensive Visiting Professor Program, attendance at outside courses (basic science, surgical technology, and review course), self-directed learning with modern easy access on-line computer network, standard patient encounters, etc. There is a strong emphasis on group cooperation within the resident community of this program. The department of Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University is associated with a training centre of the Canadian and American Orthoptic Councils (Masters degree at Dalhousie/IWK Health Centre location). There are approximately 30 faculty members in the department. Funding is available to residents for attendance at relevant education and scientific meetings. Residents can pursue studies in medical education during their residency toward a Master of Education.
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.
PGY-1
The first year will provide a broad clinical background for residents entering ophthalmology and to prepare them for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations Part II. The resident will rotate through various areas of medicine and surgery, as well as neurosciences (neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology), pediatrics and ophthalmology. These rotations take place both in Halifax and Saint John, New Brunswick, to ensure an optimum learning experience. The resident attends a Canadian Ophthalmology Basic Sciences Course at the end of that year.
PGY-2
The resident will spend this year primarily involved in the ambulatory care of eye patients at the Eye Care Centre (located in the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences complex), rotating through general and subspecialty clinics. A research project will be started with dedicated time throughout the entire four core ophthalmology years.
PGY-3
The resident will be involved with rotations through other specialty services at the QEII and the pediatric service at the IWK Health Centre. The residents will begin to participate in ocular surgery and continue their research. The resident may attend a 4-week Basic Science Course in PGY3 or PGY4 year (such as Lancaster, Stanford, or Houston review courses).
PGY-4
Intraocular surgery experience will be a significant focus of this year with necessary emphasis on modern surgical techniques including cataract surgery. The surgical skills will be practiced in our state-of-the-art surgical skills laboratory. The resident will provide consultation to the QEII Health Sciences Centre. A community-based rotation is included. Elective time is also available.
PGY-5
This year will comprise further rotations through the various services. Elective periods are provided where the resident will be encouraged to seek training and experience outside of Halifax. Rotations through general and specialty services will be provided to meet the individual needs of the resident and to prepare for the upcoming Royal College Examinations. A community-based rotation is included. Surgical experience will continue during this year. Further research opportunities are available.
Research
In our program, the minimum requirement for research includes three presentations at the Annual Departmental Research Day. Various awards are available for outstanding projects, as well as travelling funds for their presentation. The two winning papers at the Departmental Annual Research Day are awarded prizes that include support for national and international meeting presentations. In addition, the Dalhousie Medical School offers a Clinician Investigatorship Program, which supports one full year of research during residency to help establish a potential career as a clinician scientist for worthy candidates. In ophthalmology this is offered between the PGY-3 and PGY-4 years. Basic and clinical research in visual sciences and oculogenetics are now well established at the medical school at Dalhousie. Residents can benefit from these exciting and rewarding research opportunities.
QEII Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Hospital, 1276 South Park St, Eye Care Ctr
IWK Health Centre, Pediatric Ophthalmology Department, University Avenue
NOTE: All residency programs are required to have 10% of their residency training outside of Halifax Regional Municipality as stipulated in the most recent Academic Funding Plan set out by the Department of Health and Wellness. Please be aware that if matched to Halifax, as part of your training you may be expected to complete rotations outside central zone but within the maritime provinces.
An adult Eye Care Centre, which opened in 1998, includes state of the art outpatient clinical, research, surgical and inpatient facilities. The functional planning of this unit has been designed to ensure the best training environment. This is in addition to the modern pediatric eye care clinic and a visual science research laboratory at the medical school. All research and clinical facilities are within 15 minutes walking distance. A community-based rotation is included in PGY4 and 5 years and may take place in other provinces of Atlantic Canada. Residents can inquire about studies in medical education during their residency toward a Master of Education.
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