R.T. Weaver Scientific Day
The R.T. Weaver Scientific Day provides an opportunity for our graduate students and our residents to present the research which they have recently completed. The event is attended by our department faculty from inside and outside of Hamilton, our reproductive biology graduate students, and our residents. All residents will have the opportunity to present their resident research project prior to graduation.
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The Annual R.T. Weaver Scientific Day was established in 1974 by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to honour the first academic Obstetrician in Hamilton and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Henderson Hospital. Dr. Weaver​'s leadership pre-dated and facilitated the establishment of the McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences.
Resident Journal Club
The Resident Journal Club provides the opportunity for our residents to critically appraise and present recent literature in Obstetrics & Gynecology to Faculty and peers for further learning and discussion. Journal Clubs occur four times throughout the year. Journal clubs are integrated into our weekly Department rounds to enhance rich discussions amongst the faculty and residents together.
Practice Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs)
The program officially schedules four OSCEs per year (2 junior and 2 senior level). These OSCEs attempt to cover all of the CanMEDS domains. They serve many purposes for the residents, including identification of knowledge gaps, development of the skill of performing an OSCE, and ensuring awareness of the importance of all of the CanMEDS domains. The OSCE results are not used as part of the your formal evaluations, although they are reviewed by the program director so that any opportunities for improvement can be identified and discussed.
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Aside from these regularly-scheduled OSCE sessions, there are a number of less formal OSCE sessions which occur prior to the Royal College exam for the PGY5 residents.
Personal Progress Index (PPI)
Consisting of 120 multiple choice questions, you will complete this mock exam approximately 3 times per year. This allows residents to track their knowledge and progress through the program over their 5 years, as well as to practice answering multiple choice questions similarly constructed to those on the written part of the Royal College.
National Exam (hosted by the SOGC)
You will write the national exam yearly in November/December. Results are sent both to the resident and program director in order to assist with identifying knowledge gaps and areas for improvement. All residents in Ob/Gyn residency programs across the country participate in this exam.
Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) Sessions
Throughout the year there are regularly scheduled academic sessions addressing the development of surgical skills related to Minimal Access Surgery. These sessions involve didactic sessions, hands on experience at the Center for Minimal Access Surgery and participation in pig labs led by the experts within our department.
CMAS Movie Night
To help consolidate learning that occurs during hands-on Centre for Minimal Access Surgery (CMAS) lab teaching sessions, you will be challenged to create a sock puppet laparoscopically over the course of the year. You will film various aspects of your creation and then show your movie to your peers during our movie night extravaganza. You bring your creativity, and the program will take care of the pizza and snacks along with prizes for the winning creations!
Academic Half Day
In PGY1&2, you will attend the Surgical Foundations teaching sessions weekly on Wednesday mornings. Additionally, you will attend “Swing Days”, which are reserved as time within the Obstetrics and Gynecology program. This enables junior residents to receive teaching from their home program, including both didactic and hands-on sessions.
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Every Wednesday afternoon is the Academic Half Day (AHD) for the PGY3-PGY5 residents in Obstetrics & Gynecology. These cover a variety of topics based upon the Royal College Objectives. PGY2 residents attend this half day following completion of the Surgical Foundations program.
Grand Rounds and Site-Based Educational Rounds
The department holds Grand Rounds monthl Leading experts from various departments both within McMaster and outside of McMaster, are invited to speak regarding their area of expertise. As well, each hospital site holds weekly education rounds which are widely attended. You are required to contribute to the presentations at these educational rounds during the course of your residency.
Evaluations
Residents complete EPA evaluations on their rotations as a part of competency-based education. In addition, each rotation is evaluated at the midway point and the end by the rotation coordinator. Evaluations are also completed after each call shift and all are collated into bi-annual feedback with the program director.
Dinner & A Guideline
Approximately 2-3 times a year, you will gather with your peers to review an updated SOGC guideline. The program provides funding to purchase food for you all to enjoy a fun evening together while advancing your knowledge on hot topics.