We currently have a 12-month schedule for each of the five years residents are in the program. This path allows for self-directed learning. The program takes an integrated approach to training. The Royal College requires five years of post-graduate training which must include, at a minimum:
- One year of clinical training
- One year of academic work in public health
- One year of public health field placements
All residents are required to complete 12 months of academic work. This is typically done through the master’s program in health research methodology (HRM) or the master of public health (MPH) program. Flexibility to undertake relevant training from other universities exists and these have usually been pursued within commuting distance of Hamilton to maintain participation in other resident activities. Residents with prior relevant academic training may apply for credit for previous training.
Program Curriculum According to Stream:
Residents who choose McMaster University’s program have a choice of two streams:
Information Box Group
Public Health and Preventive Medicine Curriculum
Excludes family medicine and has an intensified public health focus
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PGY 1
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PGY 2 and 3
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PGY 4 and 5
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| This year focuses on basic clinical rotations and is largely hospital-based. One month of the PGY 1 year is spent on an Introduction to Public Health rotation in order to orient residents to the available community medicine resources in Hamilton and begin preparations for their academic work. | Residents begin the coursework required for the masters in health research methodology (or alternative), along with junior field placements in public health. | These years are spent finishing required academic coursework and in the more senior rotations in public health, culminating in the Royal College exams at the end of year five. Those undertaking the non-thesis option for the masters should have completed the required courses by year four, while those pursuing the thesis option will have time to work on their thesis during years four and five.
For those not doing family medicine training, approximately 12 months of extra elective time will be available. This time can be spent doing additional field placements or academic work. McMaster University offers options for additional training in occupational medicine and other areas of expertise. |
Research
All residents are expected to gain a reasonable understanding of the principles of research, through both coursework and field placements. Residents who pursue the HRM program will be required to complete a research internship of 100 hours. Those who pursue the thesis option must fulfill the research requirements set out by the HRM program. Residents who wish to have more hands-on experience with research will find numerous opportunities throughout their training.
Academic Half-Days
Residents spend one half-day per week participating in the program’s educational half-day back, which consists of seminars, journal club, field trips and resident work-in-progress sessions. Field trips include visits to facilities doing work in areas relevant to the public health and preventive medicine specialist. A number of rounds and seminars in other departments within the Faculty of Health Sciences are also available to residents.
Public Health and Preventive Medicine Curriculum
Includes family medicine
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PGY 1
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PGY 2 and 3
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PGY 4 and 5
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|---|---|---|
| This year focuses on the basic clinical rotations required by both the Royal College and family medicine, and is largely hospital-based. One month of the PGY 1 year is spent on an Introduction to Public Health rotation in order to orient residents to the available community medicine resources in Hamilton and begin preparations for their academic work. | These years are spent completing the requirements for certification in family medicine, culminating in the examination at the end of year three. Residents also begin the required coursework for the masters in health research methodology (or alternative), along with junior field placements in public health. | These years are spent finishing the required academic coursework and the more senior rotations in public health, culminating in the Royal College exams at the end of year five. Those undertaking the non-thesis option for the masters should have completed the required courses by year four, while those pursuing the thesis option will have time to work on their thesis during years four and five. |
Research
All residents are expected to gain a reasonable understanding of the principles of research, through both coursework and field placements. Residents who pursue the HRM program will be required to complete a research internship of 100 hours. Those who pursue the thesis option must fulfill the research requirements set out by the HRM program. Residents who wish to have more hands-on experience with research will find numerous opportunities throughout their training.
Academic Half-Days
Residents spend one half-day per week participating in the program’s educational half-day back, which consists of seminars, journal club, field trips and resident work-in-progress sessions. Field trips include visits to facilities doing work in areas relevant to the public health and preventive medicine specialist. Those pursuing family medicine certification will attend the family medicine academic half-days in lieu of the public health and preventive medicine half-days, during PGY 2 and PGY 3. A number of rounds and seminars in other departments within the Faculty of Health Sciences are also available to residents.