Combined Residency Programs

[MarshMellow]

I've become quite interested in a few field of medicine specifically internal, emergency & paediatrics. Having looked into residency programs just for fun I noticed that in Canada, it's pick one over the other. In the United States, there are 'combined' residency programs such as:

 

http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/departments___programs/departments/er/emimcr/

 

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/medpeds_urban_health/

 

I was essentially wondering whether Canadian schools either have such programs or whether Canadian schools can tailor make programs (that are accredited) if there are students who are interested.

 

Combined residency programs perhaps offer the benefits of becoming pretty proficient in two fields but the one major con is that you may not become SUPER proficient in either one. Anyhow, combined programs would be something I would consider but as of now I don't think such programs exist in Canada.

[NLengr]

I don't think they exist in Canada.

[DarkGhost]

It's possible to pursue a combined residency in preventative and family medicine, and some specialities can be combined with the clinical investigator program. But, according to carms, there aren't any accredited residency programs that combine fields like neurology/psychiatry, emergency/paediatrics, internal/family, etc.

However, depending on the speciality there are lots of fellowship opportunities that can overlap with other fields. This is especially true for family medicine, which has fellowships in everything from anesthesia to emergency medicine to medical oncology.

[NLengr]

It's possible to pursue a combined residency in preventative and family medicine, and some specialities can be combined with the clinical investigator program. But, according to carms, there aren't any accredited residency programs that combine fields like neurology/psychiatry, emergency/paediatrics, internal/family, etc.

However, depending on the speciality there are lots of fellowship opportunities that can overlap with other fields. This is especially true for family medicine, which has fellowships in everything from anesthesia to emergency medicine to medical oncology.

 

It should be noted that most of the family med enhanced years (or whatever the are calling the R3 year now) doesn't let you practice as a full fledged specialist (except ER I guess). A Family doc who did an R3 obs year doesn't have the same practice as a FRCSC obs. Same with Anes, med onc, surgery etc.

[rmorelan]

I don't think they exist in Canada.

 

only one I know of is at Dal for combined radiology and nuclear medicine. Kind of related though of course.

 

The lack of flexibility in our current system is I think one of its flaws - particularly since technology changes fast so it is quite possible some fields become rapidly underemployed.

[DarkGhost]

only one I know of is at Dal for combined radiology and nuclear medicine. Kind of related though of course.

 

The lack of flexibility in our current system is I think one of its flaws - particularly since technology changes fast so it is quite possible some fields become rapidly underemployed.

 

Yes, I'll add that in the USA the combined residencies prepare you for board certification in both specialties. I don't believe there is any Canadian equivalent.

[MarshMellow]

Yes, I'll add that in the USA the combined residencies prepare you for board certification in both specialties. I don't believe there is any Canadian equivalent.

 

That's something that would really be useful for many reasons. You'd have more variety in what you can do in your career so you don't get too bored. You'd have a more broad, varied & advanced skill set which should greatly help land jobs & stand out from the crowd. And you could even perhaps pursue fellowships in BOTH fields and not just one or the other.

 

Canada needs to get these programs up & running!! Theoretically, if one were to do one of these combined residency programs in the States & get certification in both fields in the States, would you be allowed to get certification in Canada for both fields? Essentially, would the CMA recognize these combined residencies?

[DarkGhost]

That's something that would really be useful for many reasons. You'd have more variety in what you can do in your career so you don't get too bored. You'd have a more broad, varied & advanced skill set which should greatly help land jobs & stand out from the crowd. And you could even perhaps pursue fellowships in BOTH fields and not just one or the other.

 

Canada needs to get these programs up & running!! Theoretically, if one were to do one of these combined residency programs in the States & get certification in both fields in the States, would you be allowed to get certification in Canada for both fields? Essentially, would the CMA recognize these combined residencies?

 

I don't know the answer to this, but there doesn't appear to be any, readily available, information that says "definitely no." The best person to ask, besides someone who did a combined residency in the States and decided to practice in Canada, would be an MO who later specialized. They would have completed two residencies, as well as been certified in both specialties at one point.

[MarshMellow]

I don't know the answer to this, but there doesn't appear to be any, readily available, information that says "definitely no." The best person to ask, besides someone who did a combined residency in the States and decided to practice in Canada, would be an MO who later specialized. They would have completed two residencies, as well as been certified in both specialties at one point.

 

That's a good idea. It may also make sense to contact the CMA or Provincial Med. Associations and get their take on it.

[DarkGhost]

That's a good idea. It may also make sense to contact the CMA or Provincial Med. Associations and get their take on it.

 

I sent an inquiry to CPSA, I'll let you know what they have to say.

[MarshMellow]

I sent an inquiry to CPSA, I'll let you know what they have to say.

 

Oh sweet! Thanks

[DarkGhost]

Oh sweet! Thanks

 

So, CPSAs response was truly uninformative for our purposes.

 

Thank you for your inquiry. We are unable to review your eligibility via e-mail submission, telephone, facsimile, or in person. The review of your credentials can only occur by completing the Eligibility Review Form located within the registration requirements. All eligibility requests are handled in the order in which they are received. A preliminary review may take up to six (6) weeks for a written response.

 

Sorry

[MarshMellow]

So, CPSAs response was truly uninformative for our purposes.

 

 

 

Sorry

 

Ah that's too bad Thanks for checking though! If I find out anything later on, I will post here.

[Tonto]

These combined programs are not very common and only offered at certain schools. They are actually not very popular and kind of silly in my opinion - no one goes to see a 'meds/peds' doctor for example - I mean thats pretty similar to family medicine.

 

Ive actually worked with a med/peds and a fm/em residents - the med/peds was doing it for the extra knowledge and her own learning, practically and in her career i dont think it would give much an advantage. The fm/em was doing it bc she was planning on working in a rural area and wanted a broader scope of knowledge and to be able to work both fields (which you can do in canada).