Program Highlights

Highlights of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program with the Department of Medicine at University of Alberta

• We encourage and welcome students from out of province to apply to our program.
• PGY1 Transition to Discipline Bootcamp: full academic days in July and August for R1s including two simulation full days
• Protected time is set aside each Thursday to enable you to attend Academic Half-Day sessions which have a combination of lectures and small groups coordinated by faculty members; AHD also includes resident prepared presentations. A Crisis Resource Simulation ½ day is provided for R1s and R2s.
• Opportunities exist for rural community rotations (including Red Deer and Grande Prairie).
• Interested residents can find opportunities to experience international medicine electives in the R3 year; previous residents have gone to India, Kenya, Uganda, Australia, etc.
• Ample elective and selective time is offered allowing opportunities for you to choose rotations based on your career goals.
• An innovative two-week PGY3 CanMEDS rotation including clinical ethics & communication skills.
• Free AMBOSS subscription, including access to practice questions and an annual AMBOSS practice exam.
• High quality subspecialty teaching sessions, subspecialty grand rounds, daily morning report, and weekly Medicine Grand Rounds.
• The three core years offer a wide experience in General Internal Medicine as well as the opportunity to rotate through most subspecialties providing early opportunites for career exploration and access to subspecialist teaching and expertise. 
• Training experiences build naturally toward graded responsibility in the 2nd and 3rd years through Critical Care (ICU and CCU) rotations, GIM ED consult rotations and CTU senior rotations. Fellowship training is available in most subspecialties, including transplantation.
• Our residents consistently perform well in examinations including the Royal College and American Board exams.
• Adherence to PARA call legislation: 26-hour rule: call duration is limited to 24 consecutive hours plus time for adequate patient sign-over (not to exceed 2 hours) and no new patient care responsibilities will be assumed in that time. Average call between 1:4 to 1:6.
• We have approximately 110 core Internal Medicine residents and approximately 85 subspecialty residents (including Dermatology and Neurology).
• A faculty and department committed to excellence in clinical medicine, research, and medical education. 
• A very supportive Department and faculty and a strong and supportive residency training program.
• Collegial, hardworking residents who are advocates for their peers and patients.
• A strong commitment by the residents and the Department of Medicine to support residents, foster well-being, and continually improve the program.
• Numerous opportunities for basic science and clinical research are available. Protected research selective time is offered and all residents are expected to participate in the yearly Department of Medicine Research Day.
• Funding for conference travel is provided ($650/year).
• Regularly scheduled formative in-training exams including rotation exams, yearly OSCE exams, and yearly AMBOSS examinations.
• Night float and shift systems at the University of Alberta Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital respectively for senior residents which improves continuity of care and decreases fatigue.
• Wellness Committee: Resident-driven Wellness Committee that focuses on promoting resident wellness throughout residency. Events include social gatherings to local restaurants and events, group-exercise events after Academic Half Day, Resident Wellness events and much more.