Infectious Diseases Program Overview

The postgraduate training program in Adult Infectious Diseases is a 2-year, RCPSC-accredited program.

Post-clinical training opportunities at the University of Alberta include

  1. Training in Clinical Infectious Diseases and Research
    • After completing two years in clinical Infectious Diseases, a third year of research is an option. This is dependent on acquisition of funding through a research preceptor. Enhanced research training through tailoring of elective time within the first two years is possible.
  2. Training in Transplant Infectious Diseases
    • A one year program in Transplant Infectious Diseases is available, after completing the first two clinical years. There is a competitive application process. The curriculum is the prototype of the American Transplant Society Transplant ID guideline for training.  Dr. Dima Kabbani  is the Transplant Infectious Diseases training coordinator.

Our program offers the following experiences:.

  1. In-patient consultation service - the diagnosis and management of primary and complicating infectious conditions in medical, surgical and obstetrical patients, in both tertiary and community settings. Specialized programs such as CV surgery, solid organ transplant, oncology, thoracic surgery and high risk obstetrics are located at our tertiary care hospitals – the University of Alberta Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospitals whereas vascular surgery can be found at one of our community sites, the Grey Nuns Hospital. In addition, trainees spending time at the Royal Alexandra Hospitals will have opportunities to work with other programs that serve our marginalized population including Addiction Medicine. Duration: 8-9 months.
  2. Longitudinal Clinics - trainees have their own weekly, half-day general Infectious Diseases Continuity Clinics, supported by a rotation of Faculty preceptors. Our program provides trainees with the opportunity to follow their own patients through their 2 years of training, giving them invaluable experience in continuity of care. Patient populations include HIV, hepatitis B and C, travel medicine, sexually transmitted infections, and post hospitalization follow-ups.  Duration: 1 half-day clinic per week with preceptors changing every 6 months (total duration 2 years).
  3. OPAT Clinics - Edmonton boasts a large number of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy clinics, scattered throughout the City, in tertiary and community hospitals. Trainees will rotate at either the Royal Alexandra or the University Hospital OPAT clinics. Patient population at these 2 clinics are rather diverse, with the Royal Alexandra Hospitals serving a large inner-city population. Duration: 5 half-day clinics per week.
  4. Viral Hepatitis - trainees have an opportunity to learn all aspects of outpatient viral hepatitis management including initial assessment, treatment and follow-up in a multi disciplinary team environment. . In addition to outpatient clinics, this rotation also offers didactic lectures by our Faculties in ID and Virology.  Duration: 2 weeks.
  5. Tuberculosis - involves consultative service for both in-patient and out-patient management of tuberculosis, with specific attention to public health issues. Duration: 1 month.
  6. Infection Control (IC) - a one month rotation in hospital Infection Control, which includes an opportunity to complete an Infection Control project using the IC database, and an option to do an online course in hospital epidemiology and infection control. Duration: 6 weeks.
  7. Antimicrobial Stewardship - residents work with an ID physician and dedicated antimicrobial stewardship pharmacists to assess antimicrobial stewardship interventions such as audit and feedback. Duration: 6 weeks
  8. Public Health and Epidemiology - an elective in Community Medicine includes a preceptorship with health officers, participation in public health clinics and the Travel Clinic, and an opportunity to do a project. Duration: 0-1 month.
  9. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consultation Service - the Stollery Children's Hospital (within the University of Alberta Hospital complex): exposure to NICU, PICU, oncology, and outpatient populations. Duration: 2 months.
  10. Laboratory training in Medical Microbiology - Medical Microbiology training takes place at the UAH Microbiology and Virology Laboratories, the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health (UAH site), and DynaLifeDX laboratory. The rotation includes experiences in a level 3 lab (for TB and other pathogens). Duration: 6 months minimum (longer for combined ID-MM).
  11. Transplant Infectious Diseases. The UAH site has a dedicated Transplant ID Consult Service, which provides pretransplant consultation, peritransplant care, and management of opportunistic infections post-transplant. Duration: 0-2 months.
  12. Sexually Transmitted Infections. The Edmonton General Hospital site STD Centre provides a concentrated experience, working with expert clinical nurse practitioners and physicians in the syndromic evaluation and point-of-care management of common STIs, including performance of direct microscopy and offering therapy at time of diagnosis. Duration: 0-2 months.
  13. Research - residents are required to participate in a research project during their residency. Mentorship is provided to ensure an appropriate project is chosen. Opportunities are available in both clinical and basic science research. Duration: 0-4 months.

For further information please contact:

Program Director:
Dr. Isabelle Chiu
Email: ichiu@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-944-2706

Education Coordinator:
Linda Semper
Email: mednid@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-7174

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