The clinical training path includes programs in either clinical genetics or metabolic genetics (clinical biochemical genetics). This path is for trainees with a medical doctor (MD) degree and at least three years of residency training in a program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and/or Collège des Médecins du Québec (CMQ).
The laboratory training path includes programs in cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and biochemical genetics (laboratory) for trainees with a PhD or an MD with training in a laboratory-based residency program. In general, a PhD trainee must have strong genetics experience acquired during their MSc or PhD.
The CCMG training guidelines are modeled after the CanMEDS framework. This framework includes the competencies required of specialists and the role of the specialist beyond that of the specialty medical expert. The other roles of the specialist are now recognized as that of communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar, and professional. The detailed objectives describe minimal standards and in no way exclude the necessity for mastery of additional knowledge, skills or attitudes necessary for the practice of genetics.
Program Information
The mission of the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) is to establish and maintain high quality professional and ethical standards of medical genetics services in Canada and to help ensure that the highest quality of service is delivered to the Canadian public. The CCMG program at McMaster offers postgraduate fellowship training in clinical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics and biochemical genetics.
The length of the program is two years for cytogenetics and molecular genetics, and three years for clinical genetics and biochemical genetics. The training guidelines can be found at the CCMG website.
The Program offers a wide variety of rotations in clinical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, biochemical genetics, prenatal screening and diagnosis, hematology, fetal pathology, and cancer genetics. The program is set up to enable trainees to learn from diverse genetic cases and to be exposed to different techniques in genetics testing.
Research is strongly encouraged. Fellows are expected to generate research proposals or participate in research projects. Submitting abstracts and having poster presentation in the national and international meetings are encouraged.
OBJECTIVES OF TRAINING AND SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS
Please refer to the training guidelines at the CCMG website.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Fellows will be expected to participate many educational events from different departments, such as weekly academic half days and genetics grand round in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, pediatric grand round in the Department of Pediatrics, or prenatal ultrasound teaching rounds. The content covers not only specialized areas in genetics, but also in pediatrics, prenatal diagnosis, laboratory management, quality assurance, biomedical ethics, and evidence-based journal clubs. There are also numerous ongoing rounds at various hospital sites and the McMaster campus. By studying cases at these multi-disciplinary rounds, the fellows will have the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with clinical colleagues and learn how to integrate these cases into genetics service.
RESOURCES
The genetics laboratories at McMaster University Medical Centre has an annual workload of over 10,000 specimens for genetic testing. There are six CCMG or ABMG certified geneticists, who are experienced in clinical genetics service, research, and teaching. Through the McMaster Library resources the fellows have access to a vast variety of professional journals. London Dysmorphology Database and POSSUM Database are also available. Each fellow is allocated generous travel fund per year to attend and present at conferences. Fellows can use a limited part of their travel funds to attend workshops, courses and to obtain books.
EVALUATION
Fellows are evaluated after every rotation. Case logbooks are required to fill in for each rotation for credentials purpose. The forms are available at the CCMG website. Every three months, the fellows meet with their committee members to monitor their progress. Informal discussion with the program director or supervisor throughout the rotation is also encouraged.
EXAMINATION
The fellows are expected to write the CCMG or American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) exam, which is held once every two years. The CCMG exam has two parts: written exams (general and specialty, essay type questions) and specialty oral exam. The ABMG exam has written exams with computer-based multiple choice format. Details information will be available in the CCMG website.
For candidates who wish to apply to laboratory specialty (genetic and genomic diagnostics, and laboratory biochemical genetics), the application deadline is June 30th. The documents required include a completed application form (clearly describing why you wish to pursue a career as a service laboratory geneticist, the relationship between your training and the chosen field of specialty, your technical, teaching or supervisory, and communication skills), a most up-to-date CV, and three reference letters.
The committee will select the best candidate by early fall to apply to Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Laboratory Genetics Fellowship funding. Please note that only two candidates across the three specialties will be funded in Ontario each year.
For candidates who wish to apply to clinical genetics, please submit an application to PGME.
Electives can be arranged on an ad-hoc basis. If you are interested in an elective opportunity, please contact the Program Director to arrange.
Program Contacts
Dr. Suzanne Demczuk
PhD
Assistant Professor
Katie Wang
Senior Education Program Associate
Diagnostic & Clinical Pathology, Genetics