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 at this time. PGME is seeking to learn from the experience of other schools in the 2023 & 2024 CaRMS matches.

For the 2024 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.

FMProC- Requirements for 2024

The University of Toronto Family Medicine Program will be using the Family Medicine Professional Choices (FMProC) as part of our selection process. The FMProC is a Family Medicine context-specific situational judgement test.

All applicants will be required to write FMProC for their application to be deemed complete. More details and information about registration for FMProC can be found here: www.fmproc.com  

Please note registration for the first round will open September 20, 2023, and the testing window will be in early November 2023.

These are hard deadlines with no late requests considered.

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Return of Service

The Ministry requests all ROS agreements before June 1 of the year they were matched. All agreements should be returned to the Ministry prior to the start of residency training. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm eligibility with respect to THE ROS requirements of other provinces.

 

Information about the Ministry’s ROS programs is available at the Return of Service Program

A letter of release from existing return of service agreements must be submitted as part of the application.

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

The University of Toronto's Department of Family & Community Medicine (DFCM) is recognized internationally for its clinical and educational excellence. The goal of the program is to prepare you to practice Family Medicine anywhere in the province (urban or rural) and the country.

• International Medical Graduates may apply to three University of Toronto Family Medicine residency streams separately through CaRMS: 1. Greater Toronto Area or 2. Barrie or Newmarket or 3. Integrated Communities.
• The Greater Toronto Area stream, has 13 hospital teaching sites located throughout the Greater Toronto Area, offering opportunities to train in hospital teaching sites in Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Mississauga and Markham.
• The same application should be submitted for each stream to which you apply. Only one application will be reviewed
• Your hospital teaching site is determined after the CaRMS match results, using a separate internal matching process where you will be asked to rank all 13 hospital teaching sites in order of preference.

See the How to Apply - Admissions Process section of our website for further details. 

Please read the following information .in detail to ensure your application receives full consideration.

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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

Applicants who apply to any of the six Ontario Family Medicine Programs (McMaster University, NOSM University, University of Ottawa, Queen's University, University of Toronto, Western University) will be assessed by a joint panel comprised of representatives from each of the six Ontario Family Medicine Programs. This panel will assess all candidates' applications and grant interviews to approximately 300 applicants, regardless of the number of Ontario Family Medicine Programs candidates apply to. The panel will provide the final evaluation results of all candidates who were interviewed to each of the individual Ontario Family Medicine Programs that they applied to.  Each Ontario Family Medicine Program will then generate its own final rank list.

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Interviews

Dates:

• January 19, 2024

Selection Criteria

 

I have received an interview offer based on my eligibility and exam scores. Are there other preferential selection criteria that the program directors consider in my ranking? 

The six Ontario Family Medicine Programs prefer applicants who have recent full-time clinical experience (clinical clerkship during medical school or residency or independent practice). Observership is NOT considered clinical experience. Participation in a residency training program in Family Medicine or in clinical practice in Family Medicine or its equivalent will be favoured in our ranking.

Program goals

The University of Toronto's Department of Family & Community Medicine (DFCM) is recognized internationally for its clinical and educational excellence. The goal of the program is to prepare residents to practice Family Medicine anywhere in the province (urban or rural) and the country.

Our program seeks to train leaders in education and research in Family Medicine who are able to practice and provide high quality comprehensive care to communities both locally and internationally. Accordingly, successful applicants will have a strong academic record that demonstrates proficiency in Family Medicine and related subjects. Applicants providing evidence of strong academic performance and strong interest and commitment to Family Medicine will be prioritized to receive an invitation to interview.  Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of Family Medicine and evidence of interest and commitment to a career in Family Medicine at the time of interviews.  

Selection process goals

Please include a supplementary statement titled “Transcript Addendum” at the beginning of your Personal Letter explaining any poor academic performance or failure, any gaps in medical school training or if you did not graduate with your cohort. The transcript addendum will not count towards your word limit for your Personal Letter. Failing to submit a transcript addendum, if the criteria apply, will result in the application not being considered.  

Applicants who fail to meet criteria for strong academic performance will not be considered further. Interviewed applicants will be ranked based on an aggregate score of their application and interview.  The selection committee reserves the right to adjust final rankings by consensus to address issues of program priority and diversity.  Scores on the file review and interviews will be used to determine a total score. An applicants total score will determine their position on the rank order list.

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 Highlights

• Toronto's diversity is fully reflected in Family Medicine settings that serve patients from every cultural, linguistic and socio-economic demographic.
• Hospital hospital sites offer exposure to the full range of Family Medicine practice and specialties , including unique opportunities in areas such as HIV/AIDS, inner city medicine, immigrant health, and addictions medicine.
• DFCM residents are equipped to practice in any type of setting. They have access to a broad scope of patient populations and clinical experiences in an inter-professional team environment.
• DFCM residents experience the best of both worlds: the unique learning opportunities of a large, internationally-respected program and the richness of small group learning at their hospital teaching site.
• Residents are active participants in the program and have flexibility to achieve their own specific learning goals.
• The DFCM program is enhanced by a strong academic focus. Weekly academic teaching provides exposure to current issues and topics affecting the practice of Family Medicine. 
• The Family Medicine program is accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

 

 

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Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 2 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

There are 13 hospital teaching sites in the Greater Toronto Area stream of the University of Toronto Family Medicine Program. Applicants matched to this stream will further select their hospital teaching site through a post-CaRMS internal match (see the Additional Information section below for more details). 

All core rotations are completed at the hospital teaching site, and there are elective opportunities within and outside of the University of Toronto system.  Some of our hospital teaching sites provide horizontal curriculum, and some provide the traditional block curriculum. 

To learn more about our hospital teaching sites please click here.

Pre-Residency Program

All International Medical Graduates accepted to all residency programs will be required to complete the Pre-Residency Programs (PRP1 and PRP2) prior to entering into a residency program. Matched International Medical Graduates will be expected to attend PRP1 both virtually and in-person through Touchstone Institute.

International Medical Graduates matched to the Ontario Family Medicine Programs will begin their PRP1 as early as April 2024.  PRP2 will take place in-person following PRP1 at your matched hospital teaching site. Please note that this will take place and needs to be completed BEFORE the start of the residency program on July 1, 2024.

Assessment Verification Period

All IMG applicants accepted to residency training programs will be required to undergo an Assessment Verification Period (AVP). This assessment period is normally 12 weeks in length and is required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to obtain an educational license to enter a residency program. CPSO – International Medical Graduates (IMGs).

IMGs that have failed an AVP and are reapplying through CaRMS are ineligible to apply for training in the same specialty in Ontario, but may apply to a different specialty in the first and/or second iteration. IMGs who have withdrawn from a program prior to completion of an AVP must declare so upon application.

Competency-Based Curriculum

A strong primary care system requires well-prepared, comprehensive generalists with skills and knowledge relevant to their context. Our program is a recognized leader in competency-based Family Medicine education. This approach ensures learners acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that are necessary to practice Family Medicine.  Our competency-based curriculum builds on the internationally recognized CanMEDS-FM (Family Medicine) framework and roles—defining the specific competencies and learning experiences a skilled family physician requires. Our unique staged development model links competencies to the various stages of residency, from competencies required to begin clinical training through to enhanced competencies required by family physicians with special interests or focused practices in areas such as emergency medicine, low-risk obstetrics, palliative care, care of the elderly, and many more. Please see our website for more details DFCM Competency Based Curriculum.

Self-Evaluation Tools

a) Practice Profile:

The delivery of our curriculum is paired with innovative tools for monitoring and assessment. An online resident Practice Profile tool allows residents to document and track their clinical experience to ensure it is comprehensive and fulfills the competencies defined in the curriculum.

b) Progress Testing

Twice yearly, the program administers the Family Medicine Medical Expert Assessment of Progress (FM-MAP) for all residents.  Residents are tested on knowledge application in the domains that reflect the program’s competency-based curriculum.  As they write the test iteratively, residents gain an understanding of their progress in the Family Medicine Expert role and are encouraged to use their results to tailor their future clinical experience, studying, and preparation for certification examinations.

c) Field Notes

Field Notes have been designed to be quick, frequent low-stakes/formative forms of feedback and assessment. After patient encounters or during post-clinic review, preceptors provide oral feedback to trainees. This can then be documented as a Field Note and submitted electronically through a custom-designed web interface.

d) Six Month Progress Review

Six Month Progress Review meetings, one-on-one meetings between a resident and their Hospital Teaching Site Director or designate. During this meeting, career goals, case mix, academic achievement, resident academic project and general progress are discussed. Successful completion of progress review meetings for all residents is logged via a centralized web interface.

PGCorEd™ Modules

These web-based e-learning modules provide the foundation for the intrinsic Can MEDS- FM roles.  PGCorEd™ is designed to be responsive to the practical realities of residency training by being available when and where the resident needs the information. The content aims to help PGY-1 residents transition from the learner role of medical school to the practitioner role. All University of Toronto residents are required to complete the web based PGCorEd™ core competency modules as part of their residency program certification. Please see the Postgraduate Medical Education Office website for more details PGCorEd™ Modules.

Virtual Care Competency Training Roadmap (ViCCTR) Modules

Web-based interactive e-learning modules designed to support the development of medical expertise and transformation of clinical reasoning for the virtual care environment.  The modules were developed in collaboration with medical education experts to ensure our learners develop the necessary skills to incorporate virtual care into their current and future family practices. All Family Medicine residents are required to complete the ViCCTR modules as part of the residency program certification. Please see our website for more details ViCCTR Modules. 

San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Online Training Program

San'yas is a nationally recognized training program aimed at improving cultural safety for Indigenous people accessing health services.  The curriculum and learning activities have been shown to help residents strengthen their knowledge, awareness, and skills for working with and providing service to Indigenous people and communities; work more safely and effectively with Indigenous people; begin considering their role in correcting, rebuilding and transforming systems to uproot Indigenous-specific racism.  All Family Medicine residents are required to complete the San’yas Core Health Course as part of the residency program certification. Please see the San'yas website for more details Core Health Course.

Teaching Practices: Community/Rural Family Medicine Experience

All second-year Family Medicine resident complete two consecutive four-week blocks of community/rural Family Medicine training through the Teaching Practices (TP) program.  The TP network includes more than 90 experienced faculty located in approximately 35 community/rural practices from southern Ontario to remote northern Ontario. Residents are required to live in the same community/rural practice for the duration of TP.  Financial assistance is provided to offset travel and accommodation expenses.  Please see our website for more details Teaching Practices.

Academic Project

All residents are required to complete an academic project by the end of their second year. Although many residents complete a research  project, other academic endeavors such as development of educational materials, audits and critical reviews of topics are equally acceptable.

Quality Improvement (QI) Curriculum

Family physicians are increasingly being held accountable for their performance. The DFCM has a QI curriculum for PGY-1 residents, to equip residents with the necessary skills to lead teams while effectively finding new and easier ways of enhancing patient care, increasing both patient and provider satisfaction and ultimately improving patient care. Residents are required to complete a QI practicum in PGY-1.

Academic Half Days

Mandatory academic half days covering core topics in Family Medicine are held weekly at all hospital teaching sites. A number of times over the academic year, the entire residency group attends a combination of practice management and resident organized central core days.  Valuable learning opportunities at hospital teaching sites may include journal clubs, simulation sessions, evidence-based medicine rounds and weekly grand rounds in Family Medicine.

 

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Training Sites

To learn more about our 13 Hospital Teaching Sites in the Greater Toronto Area stream click here.

To view an interactive Map of all our hospital teaching sites by stream click here.

To view our Quick Facts: Hospital Teaching Site Comparison Chart by streams click here.

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Additional Information

Additional Ontario 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.
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 of Canada, 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 applicant file being removed at any point during the match.

Joint Ontario Virtual IMG Information Session:  IMGs offered an interview invitation will receive details about an optional Joint Ontario Virtual Information Session, which will take place before the scheduled interview. The Joint Ontario Virtual Information Session will review the general IMG admissions process and feature a Q + A component.

Virtual Resident Meet and Greet Sessions:  IMGs offered an interview invitation will receive details about the optional Virtual Resident Meet and Greet Sessions, which will take place before your scheduled interview.  The Virtual Resident Meet and Greet Sessions are an opportunity to meet with both faculty and resident leadership, introduce applicants to the interview process, and feature a Q + A component with resident representation from each of our hospital teaching sites and streams.

Virtual Open House Sessions: IMGs matched to the U of T Greater Toronto Area Stream will be invited to meet with the GTA site directors through a Virtual Open House session to be held a week after the release of the CaRMS match results (March 19).  Attendance is optional and will not influence hospital teaching site assignments (Post-CaRMS Internal Match). Matched residents may also directly contact the GTA Stream hospital teaching site directors, site administrators and chief residents to obtain information. 

Post-CaRMS Internal Match: Newly matched residents will be asked to rank all the hospital teaching sites in order of preference. A mathematical algorithm is used, taking into consideration resident ranking and hospital teaching site capacity to provide the best overall outcome for all new incoming residents.  The internal match is not based on the strength of your CaRMS application or position on the CaRMS rank list. The internal matching process does not guarantee that newly matched residents will be matched to their preferred hospital teaching site. However, all those matched to the GTA stream will equally benefit from the strong curriculum and academic program offered as part of the experience in the Family Medicine Residency Program at the University of Toronto. Hospital teaching site assignments will be announced in mid-April.

International Medical Graduates who match to our program will need to be available for site orientation and information session purposes between June 24 - July 1, 2024.

Adding Additional Streams:

When applying to the U of T residency program, it is recommended that you apply to all streams you may be interested in before the CaRMS online application closes. Adding additional streams after CaRMS online application closes may be considered until the scheduled IMG Interview Day - Friday January 19, 2024.  In order to be considered for additional streams, you must email dfcm.admissions@utoronto.ca indicating which stream(s) you would like to add, as well as add the stream to your CaRMS online application.

Car Requirements:

Access to a car with the ability to drive or be driven is required upon admission. This will allow for full participation in the program to travel between hospital teaching sites, elective opportunities and the Teaching Practice (community/rural) Family Medicine experience.

Additional Learning Initiatives:

 1. Enhanced Skills Program (PGY-3)

* Resident can apply to this program in their PGY-2 year

Opportunities exist for further training beyond the two years in areas such as emergency medicine, anesthesia, low- risk obstetrics, women's health, care of the elderly, sports medicine, and academic fellowship programs. Please see our website for more details Enhanced Skills Program.

2. Family Medicine and Enhanced Skills (FAM-ES) Integrated 3-Year Program (I3P)

*Residents can apply to this program in their PGY-1 year

The FAM-ES program will integrate PGY3 content (either Palliative Care or Care of the Elderly) alongside core Family Medicine during the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years of training. Upon completion of FAM-ES, graduates are eligible to apply for the appropriate CCFP PGY-3 designation. Please see our website for more details FAM-ES.

3.Family Medicine Leadership and Master of Science in System Leadership and Innovation Integrated 3-Year Program (I3P)

*Residents can apply to this program in their PGY-1 year

The Integrated 3-Year Leadership Program; offers leadership skills to selected Family Medicine residents in an innovative longitudinal integration of Family Medicine residency training combined with a Master’s of Science in System Leadership and Innovation (MScSLI). Please see our website for more details Integrated 3-year Leadership Program.

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Why choose Family Medicine at the University of Toronto?

 

 

 

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FAQ

Please see the following FAQ links:

Family Medicine Program FAQs