General Information
The postgraduate education program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University is designed to train residents to practice as competent Generalists in Obstetrics and Gynecology and successfully complete the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons’ qualifying examination. For most residents, the training program will be five years in length. Completion of the entire program depends on satisfactory completion of each of the components within the program. We have the capacity to match 7 Canadian Medical Graduates and 1 International Medical Graduate in the 2024 CaRMS Match.
We are a competency-based program consisting of rotations at 3 of the hospitals in the city of Hamilton as well as many hospitals in the surrounding communities. The hospitals in Hamilton are themselves coordinated in a series of regional programs which concentrate specialized facilities at certain hospitals and provide mutual support for other specialized facilities which are needed at all hospitals. The results are that the residents receive a great variety of clinical experience from the large referral base.
The program uses the Entrusted Professional Activities (EPA) list developed by the Specialty Committee of the Royal College as a basis for evaluation. Additionally, using the CANMEDS framework, the postgraduate program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at McMaster University has additional goals and objectives for each of the rotations that we feel are critical for competence in training as a consultant in the specialty. A minimum standard for performance in all CANMEDS domains, along with successful completion of all EPAs, to merit advancement in the residency program.
Generalist OB/GYN Training
Most graduates of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology will engage in the general practice of the specialty. This is a mix of pregnancy care, both high and low risk, and the care of pelvic and endocrine disorders affecting patients of all ages. Some obstetricians practice in major academic centers and many in small to medium size communities. They treat a wide variety of menstrual disorders, infections, pelvic pathology (fibroids, ovarian cysts, menorrhagia, prolapse, urinary dysfunction, cervical cancer), pregnancies complicated with hypertension, bleeding growth disorders, multiple pregnancies, and patients enjoying healthy, normal pregnancies.
Subspecialty Training
Some graduates of residency programs may choose to undergo further training in subspecialty areas of obstetrics & gynecology. These areas may include caring for high-risk pregnancies, patients with gynecologic cancers, patients with fertility concerns, or pediatric patients. Recent graduates in our programs have chosen to complete fellowships in:
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Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (McMaster and University of Toronto)
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Gynecologic Oncology (University of Manitoba)
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Maternal-Fetal Medicine (McMaster, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia)
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Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (McMaster, University of Toronto, University of Calgary)
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Urogynecology (McMaster, University of Calgary)
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Family Planning (University of British Columbia)
For more information on fellowships available at McMaster, click here.
Residency Training
Residency training in Canada occurs within university postgraduate education programs and under the guidance of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The training, as it is currently structured, takes five years after graduation from medical school. Details of our own residency program can be found on our the McMaster Postgraduate Education website and general training requirements from the Royal College website. In our own program the focus is on educational achievement, not service. Therefore we have an excellent reputation for supporting our residents in academic half days, protected research time and rights guaranteed by the PARO contract. This program has shown flexibility with residents taking leaves and with unique working requirements.
The residency program offers graduated responsibility with advancing degrees of knowledge and skills during the course of training. Upon completion of training, our residents are extremely competitive in applying for fellowships as well as for staff generalist positions.
Practice
Upon completion of training there are a wide range of practice opportunities in Ontario and in the rest of Canada.
In community practice, most obstetrician/gynecologists work in collaboration with colleagues in on-call groups providing coverage during absences, leaves, weekends and nights. Some specialists choose to work more directly together in closer partnerships sharing practices and negotiating with each other protected time for family involvement and other professional goals. Incomes are generally good in most provinces and more than sufficient to support a comfortable lifestyle.
Specialty and Social Involvement
One of the special characteristics of obstetrics and gynecology is the extent to which social issues and social involvement are both important and available. Obstetrical and gynecological problems often occur in a social context with complex issues of sexuality, violence, marital dysfunction, ethical, community and social issues. These are both challenging and interesting. Many obstetrician/gynecologists choose to become involved in community, in hospital committees, volunteer agencies and occasionally in local or even provincial politics. There are also opportunities to become involved more extensively in the profession through local medical societies and the national organization representing obstetricians and gynecologists, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. This Society has many committees requiring effort and involvement and provides continuing education and sets practice standards for obstetricians and gynecologists across the country. Participation can be very rewarding. Involvement with the national society also offers the opportunity to meet old friends from residency training, who work in other communities, provinces and countries. The obstetrical and gynecological community in Canada is relatively small and therefore it is relatively easy to maintain relationships over the years.
Some have gone even further to become involved in international health. A number of our faculty and some our residents at McMaster are involved with important maternal and child heath projects in Haiti, Uganda, Guyana and Yemen. Maternal mortality is a huge issue for those living in third world countries.
Postgraduate Education Committee
The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Postgraduate Education Committee is composed of the Residency Program Director, the program Ombudspersons, the CBD Lead, the local and regional hospital site coordinators, the Department Associate Chair of Education, and a resident representative from each year. This committee meets monthly to discuss topics relating to the day-to-day running of the program and any upcoming changes. Residents have a strong voice on the committee to help effect changes in the program.