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Dalhousie University - Ophthalmology - Halifax

2024 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG

Last approved on January 03, 2024

Summary of changes

Approximate Quota:

 2 

Accreditation status : Accredited

Provincial Criteria


Dr. Danielle Cadieux
Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 
Nova Scotia Health Authority - VG Site 
Rm. 2035, 2 West Victoria, 1276 South Park St.
Halifax NS B3H 2Y9, Nova Scotia, B3H 2Y9
(902) 473-2517
(902) 473-2839
Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Program Contacts

Dr. Mishari Dahrab
Program Director
mishari.dahrab@dal.ca
(902) 473-2517

Tomma MacDonald
Program Assistant
ophthed@dal.ca
902-473-2517


Important Information

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.


General Instructions

Program application language: English


Supporting Documentation / Information

Canadian citizenship
CaRMS partners with third-party organizations to verify your citizenship or permanent resident status. If your status is verified by one of these organizations, you will not need to provide citizenship documents in your application. If your citizenship status is not verified, you must provide one of the documents listed below.
Required
Submit one of the following documents to verify your Canadian citizenship:
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)

 

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of application.

Reference documents
Required
Number requested: 3

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.).

Additional documents
Required
Photo 
[Note: Photograph is used as memory aid only]

Medical School Transcript 

Your medical school transcript can be submitted through one of the methods below:

  1. Obtain your medical transcript from your school and upload it directly to your CaRMS Online account. Follow your school’s policy regarding accessing or requesting your transcript;
  2. Ask your medical school to upload your medical transcript through their CaRMS Undergraduate Portal account; or
  3. International (IMGs) and United States (USMGs) medical graduates can transfer their transcript from their physiciansapply.ca account.

Medical Student Performance Record 

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.

Personal Letter 
Word count
Minimum : 500
Maximum : 550

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 Report 

An ophthalmologist's/optometrists report stating the cadidate's visual status, including stereopsis is advisable.  Applicants are to upload this document.


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 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:

  • Reviewing CARMS applications.
  • Making decisions about inviting applicants for interviews.
  • Conducting interviews.
  • Deciding on the final CARMS ranking.


Interviews

Dates:

  • January 24, 2024
Interviews will take place on the afternoon of Wed January 24, 2024 starting at approx 11:30am (Halifax time AST) via zoom.  Specific interview times will be sent by email to confirmed interviewees.

Program will notify all applicants through CaRMS Online and will send email invitations directly to applicants selected for an interview.
Following the review of all applicant files, a selected group of applicants will be invited to participate in the interview process. This includes virtual interviews before panels of faculty and residents.


Selection Criteria

Program goals

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.

Selection process goals

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.

File review 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 %

Evaluation criteria :
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

Elective criteria

We are looking for and rewarding applicants who have completed a broad range of electives including in our discipline.
We do not require applicants to have done onsite electives.

Evaluations & reference letters from electives completed at our site and/or others are reviewed as part of the file review process.

 

Interview process

Interview format :



We may accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants due to weather, technology failure, or unforeseen circumstances.

Interview evaluation criteria :
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

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 :
   
   
   


Program Highlights

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.

 

 

  


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.

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.




Training Sites

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. 


Summary of changes

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