Program Contacts

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Important Information

Any information included on requested documents submitted to CaRMS, as well as all interactions throughout the CaRMS process, may be taken into account during a candidate's review and assessment.

Our program values the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as a goal in the selection process. 

To help inform and advance EDI in our selection process we are pleased to offer the option to submit the voluntary CaRMS Self Identification Questionnaire. Additionally, there is an additional verification process for Indigenous membership or citizenship. Please see sections below for further information

If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, specifically to reduce or remove barriers to equitable candidate assessment, please do not hesitate to notify us at the time of accepting an interview.

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 Par 1 (MCCQE 1) by July 1, 2024. Those unsuccessful in the exam are subject to the decision of the regulatory authority regarding licensure.

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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 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

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Late reference letters may be considered under extenuating circumstances only.

If additional documents NOT requested (including extra reference letters or a separate CV) ARE included, the file may NOT be reviewed.

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Interviews

Dates:

• January 20, 2024
• January 21, 2024

Selection Criteria

Applicants are chosen based on the following characteristics (in no particular order):

• Aptitude for independent learning and organization
• Interest in, and knowledge of, the specialty
• Academic potential
• Aptitude for anesthesia – technical and non-technical
• Ability to handle stress
• Communication skills
• Team work
• Leadership potential
• Professionalism
• Scholarly interests (research, education, QA, etc)
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Diversity
• Interest in Dalhousie Anesthesia Program
• Interest in practicing in the Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island)

Program goals

Dalhousie University has the ongoing goal of implementing a first-rate anesthesia residency program designed to train physicians capable of delivering an outstanding level of patient care consistent with requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). Our program strives to ensure its residents reflect the communities they serve, and as such welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals of any race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, gender, or sexual orientation. 

Dalhousie’s mid-sized program allows for more individualized attention through the residency process, ensuring continued progression of your confidence and knowledge in the areas of specialty skills, judgment, professional responsibility and clinical independence is expected over the five years of anesthesia training. Upon completion of this training, our residents are able to demonstrate their competency as a specialist anesthesiologist, capable of assuming a consultant’s role in the specialty. By the conclusion of the program, residents will also be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes relating to gender, culture and ethnicity pertinent to anesthesia practice. In addition, all residents will be able to demonstrate an ability to incorporate gender, cultural and ethnic perspectives in research methodology, data presentation and analysis. In the course of developing these important skills, Dalhousie’s program prides itself in ensuring resident wellness and work-life balance remains a priority. 

Selection process goals

The characteristics listed below describe the areas of priority we are looking for in candidates, we realize not everyone excels at all aspects and we are aiming to choose well-rounded individuals that will thrive in our program, the table below outlines where we are primarily evaluating the different characteristics. We are looking for a diverse group of residents with the aim of training anesthesiologists for both academic and community settings. 

Resident Selection Criteria	File Review	Interview
Aptitude for self-directed learning and organization	X	X
Interest/Knowledge of Specialty	X	X
Academic Potential	X
Aptitude for anesthesia	X
Ability to handle stress	X	X
Communication skills	X	X
Team work	X	X
Leadership potential	X
Professionalism	X	X
Scholarly Interests	X	X
Extra –curricular activities	X	X
Interest in Dal Program	X	X
Interest in practicing in the Maritimes	X
Self-Identification Questionnaire	X

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

As a resident in Dalhousie Anesthesia, Pain Management & Perioperative Medicine you will gain the clinical, academic, research and professional experience you need to become a highly competent, compassionate anesthesiologist and leader in the field. You will be well supported to meet your training goals and well prepared to pass the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons exams.

It is highly competitive to enter our five-year residency program. We receive about 160 applications each year from qualified medical students in Canada. 

Some highlights as identified by our residents:

• Size of the program - big enough for good experience but small enough that everyone knows you
• Supportive and organized office of education to support resident experience
• Staff to learner ratio, lots of one-on-one teaching opportunities
• Global health program and opportunities
• Research office support for the resident research program
• Welcoming and friendly city and program

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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.

Stages of Training

The Anesthesia Program contains four levels of training: [Note: one block is 4 weeks]

1. Transition to Discipline - 2 blocks of orientation in non-subspecialty anesthesia
2. Foundations - 22 blocks of fundamental anesthesia, medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, critical care, pain/regional, and elective or formal enhanced learning plan
3. Core - 28 blocks of subspecialty anesthesia, medicine, critical care, and elective or formal enhanced learning plan
4. Transition to Practice - 13 blocks allocated but may be completed in a minimum of 5 blocks; includes complex anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric anesthesia, critical care, teaching, and elective

 

Transition to Discipline

This 8 week stage emphasizes the orientation and assessment of new trainees arriving from different medical schools and programs.  It includes orientation to academic, administrative and clinical components required to succeed early in the Dalhousie Anesthesia Program.  New residents are matched with 3 clinical mentors who they will work with over the 8 weeks, one of whom will become the residents' academic advisor for their residency program.  The clinical orientation also includes basic teaching sessions and an intensive simulation curriculum on the management of common intraoperative problems.

 

Foundations

This 22 block stage covers broad-based competencies that every trainee must acquire before moving on to more advanced, discipline-specific competencies. The stage is comprised of 9 modules including:  Airway and ENT, Perioperative Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Cardiovascular, Pain and Regional, Emergency and Critical Care.  Each module helps the resident to focus on basic assessment and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology combined with their application to anesthesia.  For example, the ENT and Airway module includes one block on ENT surgery and one block of Airway anesthesia.  The Obstetrics module includes one block of obstetrics and one block of obstetrical anesthesia.  The rotation designated as "PLB (Personal Learning Block)" can be used for research, elective or a formal enhanced learning plan and allows for flexibility within the Program.

 

Core

This stage includes all the major subspecialty areas that make up the discipline.  Residents rotate through 13 modules over 28 blocks.  Modules include Pediatrics, Neuro, Obstetrics, Cardiovascular, Thoracic, Complex Surgery, Community and Out of OR anesthesia as well as Perioperative Medicine, Pain and Regional, Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and Other.  

 

Transition To Practice

This stage of residency is designed to promote independent practice.  Residents will complete a minimum of 5 blocks including Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Complex Surgery, and Community anesthesia as well as Critical Care.  The other 8 blocks can be used for electives or research.  Most residents will require the full 13 blocks however it may be possible to finish early if the resident is able to defend their portfolio to show that they have met all the required competencies and training elements. 

 

 

 

Research

There is a formal course on research methodology and critical appraisal. There are active journal and research clubs. Completion of a scholarly project during training is required. Major areas of research activity in the department include pediatric and adult pain, airway management, obstetrics, cardiovascular and ambulatory anesthesia.

Academic Curriculum

Residents are released from clinical duties on Wednesday afternoons to attend the academic program. The academic curriculum is offered in parallel sessions, and then all the residents come together for weekly resident led case based discussions. The curriculum was reviewed in the fall of 2020 for content updates and scheduling changes to accommodate the date change for the Royal College examination period. 

Junior residents participate in the Foundations Program which concentrates on basic principles of anesthesia including preoperative assessment, pharmacology and physiology, anesthesia equipment and anesthesia practice.  Teaching is mostly case based, simulation, and small group learning. 

Senior residents attend the Core Program which runs over 2 years and covers all subspecialties. Again, teaching is mostly case based and simulation.   The Transition to Practice year will concentrate on exam preparation and independent practice.

Residents in 2nd year and above participate in biannual mock oral examinations for practice and experience. There is a mid-training OSCE to monitor learning in these academic programs. All residents complete the AKT examinations at the specified intervals.

Community

Community rotation sites throughout the Maritimes are available for rotations, and a minimum of 10% (approximately equal to 6 blocks) of the program will take place in the community.

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Training Sites

- QEII Health Science Center is the base hospital, Halifax, NS (encompassing 3 sites - Halifax Infirmary, Victoria General and Dartmouth General Hospital)

- IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS

- Horizon Health New Brunswick - Moncton and Saint John, NB

- Other sites throughout the Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) are available at the residents’ request.

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FAQ

Does everyone get an interview?

• We have a Selection Committee made up of members of our Residency Program Committee, faculty, residents, and administration who review and score each application.  These reviews serve as the basis for candidates to be offered interviews. Only selected candidates will be offered interviews.  Applicants not interviewed will not be ranked.

How can I connect with current residents in the program or meet with the Program Director?

• There will be virtual meetings set up with both the Program Director and current residents in the program.  The dates and times of these meetings will be advertised through the CANPREPP calendar.

Can I submit additional info?

• Required documentation is outlined under the section "Supporting Documentation". All info/documentation must be submitted prior to the CaRMS deadline. Any documentation submitted after this date will not be considered. Any additional documentation submitted will not be reviewed.