Division of Geriatric Medicine
Program Overview
Our program entails two years of training that fulfills the requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for certification in Geriatric Medicine. The principle goal of the McMaster University Geriatrics Residency Training Program is to produce high caliber academic and clinical Geriatricians with expertise in the diagnosis and management of geriatric disorders.
The core clinical rotations are structured to provide a balanced and diverse exposure to inpatient, outpatient and long term care populations. Rotations are based at Hamilton sites with a major interest and expertise in the content area to be covered. Participating sites include Henderson Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Center for Ambulatory Health Services. During the program residents will work closely with Geriatricians whose interests span diverse areas of clinical geriatrics, medical education, research, clinical program development and health advocacy.
The PGY-4 year allows the resident to develop clinical expertise is a variety of geriatric medicine services. Introductory rotations include inpatient geriatric assessment and rehabilitation, hospital-based consultation, and outpatient clinics. Experiences in community settings and geriatric psychiatry are also completed early in the program, to provide broad exposure to the variety of practice models possible in geriatric medicine. There are dedicated activities for trainees who will be sitting Royal College Exams in the spring. Three months, which may be taken in block or staggered form, are protected for a mandatory research project.
The PGY-5 year is flexible, typically individualized based on career interests and designed to foster graduated responsibility. There is a longitudinal chief’s clinic that prepares residents for independent practice in the ambulatory setting. Residents return to rotations in inpatient consults and inpatient geriatric assessment and rehabilitation, this time in the role of “junior attending”. This role is meant to simulate the experience of a consultant geriatrician, requires greater independence in clinical management, and increased responsibility. In addition, there is protected time and faculty support to focus on teaching skills and a health advocacy project. We offer a wide range of elective experiences to accommodate the diverse career interests of trainees.
For those who are interested, the program offers specialized programs for the PGY-5 year which integrate clinical experiences with elements designed to develop expertise in education or leadership/administration. There is also the opportunity to apply for a Ministry-funded position in the Clinician Investigator Program.
Program Overview:
PGY-4
Rotation |
Duration |
Notes |
Geriatric Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit (GARU) |
2 months |
Inpatient Ward providing interdisciplinary rehab post-acute care, and assessment of complex patients admitted directly from the community. |
Inpatient Geriatric Consultations |
2 months |
Consultation to other inpatient services |
Ambulatory Geriatric Medicine |
3 months |
Outpatient geriatrics clinics and geriatric day hospital |
Geriatric Psychiatry |
2 months |
Inpatient, outpatient, outreach, family health team experiences available |
Research |
3 months |
May be taken in block or staggered form, and timing is flexible throughout the program |
PGY-5
Rotation |
Duration |
Notes |
GARU – junior attending |
1 month |
|
Inpatient Consults – junior attending |
1 month |
|
Block Selectives |
3 months |
e.g. Community Geriatrics, Palliative Care, General Rehabilitation, Stroke Rehabilitation |
Horizontal Selectives |
3 months |
Examples: |
Electives |
4 months |
|
Chief’s clinic |
integrated |
1 half day per week for 6-12 months |
For more details about our program please read our Geriatric Residency Training Program Handbook.
