Research Experience

All fellows are expected to participate in at least one to two research initiatives per year of training under the supervision of faculty. The fellows gain experience in generating a research proposal(s) with hypothesis driven objectives, documentation of knowledge gaps in the field, and use of appropriate methodology. The research outcomes are presented locally and should culminate in one or more abstract presentations at national and/or international scientific conferences and one or more peer-reviewed publication.

Training in pediatric thrombosis at the University of Alberta will mentor the fellow to function independently in antithrombotic therapy management in children in their future position of employment. The program provides a combination of clinical thrombosis training, teaching and academic/research activities.

Overview

The Stollery Children’s Hospital is the main referral site for congenital cardiac surgery throughout most of Western Canada and also the referral site through the Fetal & Neonatal Cardiology Program for high risk pregnancies with a fetus with suspected congenital or acquired heart disease from within Alberta and from other Western provinces. The fellows will provide in and outpatient consultative service for children with or at risk for thrombosis.

Clinical Training Experience

During rotations through the KIDCLOT Thrombosis program at Stollery Children’s Hospital, the fellow will:

• provide (under supervision) consultative service for both inpatients and outpatients in the Stollery Hospital and become familiar with the evidence based guidelines for use and management of antithrombotic therapy
• gain experience in managing anticoagulation in children with acquired or congenital heart disease, including extracorporeal life support (ECMO, VAD: with the VAD team)
• attend VAD team patient rounds to gain experience in antithrombotic therapy for VADs Gain experience in managing antithrombotic therapy in children with or at risk for thrombosis including venous and arterial thromboembolism, mechanical heart valves, and stroke
• become familiar with antithrombotic agents used in children, including warfarin, unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, asa, clopidogrel and fibrinolytic agents
• attend and present at weekly Thrombosis rounds Attend the pediatric cardiothoracic surgical rounds to contribute to their experience

Teaching Experience

All fellows are expected to participate in formal and informal teaching sessions for the pediatric cardiology trainees and other pediatric cardiology subspecialty fellows including weekly echo teaching sessions for sonographers and trainees, weekly fetal cardiac rounds and core cardiology curriculum teaching sessions.