The McMaster University Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology residency Program is designed to produce strong clinical pathologists, who can perform, supervise and interpret specimens and slides. We strive to produce Pathologists who will be lifelong learners, able to respond to the increasing demands of our exciting, rapidly expanding medical specialty. The program is designed to meet the specifications of the Royal College as well as address the Canadian Medical Education Directives for Specialists, commonly referred to as CanMEDS while allowing residents to create tailored curriculum maps. 

Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology

This residency program is for 5 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME):

Physician training focuses on achievement outcomes and is based on a frame work of competence (CanMEDS). The Competence Continuum divides residency training into four stages: Transition to discipline, Foundations of discipline, Core of discipline and, finally, Transition to practice.

The Royal College Competence Continuum Stages:

Transition to Discipline (TTD):

PGY1, two blocks of orientation rotation and the goal is to demonstrate readiness for Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology residency. This includes 4 EPAs to be assessed.

Foundations of Discipline (F)

PGY1, 11 blocks of training on relevant clinical rotations with exposure to the most common related pathology procedures such as; pathology specimens, bone marrow and fine needle aspirate. This stage includes 6 EPAs to be assessed.

Core of Discipline (C):

PGY2-4, At least 36 blocks rotations in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology and its affiliations’ such as cytopathology and forensic pathology, Hematological pathology including transfusion medicine and coagulation, Medical Microbiology and Medical Biochemistry. At the end of Core of Discipline stage the Royal College examination written part will be held in the spring and the practical will be in the  fall.

Transition to practice (TTP):

PGY5, At least 11 blocks to do full daily workload cases and work independently during calls in diagnostic and molecular pathology, hematological pathology, medical microbiology and medical biochemistry, developing and implementing plans in quality assurance and continuing professional development. This stage includes 4 EPAs to be assessed.

The McMaster Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology (DCP)/General Pathology Program has a stellar reputation for graduating residents who are valued for the depth of skill and expertise they provide in the wide breadth of the discipline. The Program’s strengths are an organized, yet flexible curriculum plan tailored to fit each resident’s needs, a cohesive resident group, highly responsive program admin and dedicated faculty. I can attest to this all as I am a product of this phenomenal program and am still reaping the benefits.  

-Dr. Ipshita Kak

Physician training focuses on achievement of outcomes and based on a framework of competencies (CanMEDS). The Competence Continuum divides residency training into four stages: Transition to discipline, Foundations of discipline, Core of discipline and, finally, Transition to practice. 

PGY 1:
Transition to Discipline stage (TTD): 2 blocks: First block introductory Boot camp covering basics of the laboratory including normal histology followed by 1 Block Anatomical Pathology  

Foundation stage: 11 blocks:  Autopsy (1 block), Surgical Oncology, Hematology, infectious disease, Medical Oncology, Endocrinology, Pediatric Oncology, and remainder Anatomical Pathology blocks 

PGY 2-5 :
Core stage: 46 blocks: Anatomical Pathology (including subspecialties), Hematopathology/hematology, Medical Microbiology, Medical Biochemistry, Community Hospitals and Elective/Research rotations. Royal College Examination will take place at the end of Core stage in a 2 step manner: written and practical in Spring of PGY4 and Oral exam in Fall of PGY5 unless otherwise mentioned on the Royal College website. 

Transition to Practice stage (TTP): 6 blocks: Senior resident rotations in Anatomical Pathology Hematopathology/hematology, Medical Microbiology, Medical Biochemistry, and research/elective

Academic Half Day

Half-days are scheduled throughout the year on Wednesday mornings, from 9 – 12 for the Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology content and from 1 – 3 pm for the Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology content. The format typically consists of a formal didactic presentation or case review by a faculty speaker. Several times throughout the year Evaluative Sciences/CanMEDS curriculum topics are presented in addition to the regular half-day curriculum. 

Journal Club

Approximately six times per year, a resident organized journal club is conducted at academic half-day. These 1 hour sessions are led by an assigned resident, whose responsibilities include selecting an article on an appropriate topic and circulating it electronically amongst their peers, with an accompanying set of references and questions to be covered. The topics and articles selected are pertinent to current practice, with emphasis on certain clinical and radiological dilemmas that are encountered in everyday life (and while on call!). The discussions at journal club are often centered around the validity of the study in the context of evidence-based medicine, the conclusions of the study, and its relevance to the improvement of our practice. This resident journal club is designed to improve the resident’s skills in critical appraisal. 

Transfusion Medicine Bootcamp

DCP residents have full access to virtual sessions and archived content from annual TM bootcamps conducted by the McMaster Hematology Program. These sessions are extremely popular and designed to answer the leading topics/questions in transfusion medicine. 

Slide Review Rounds

Once a month residents select interesting cases seen at various sites while on rotation to share with their fellow residents. They work through case presentation, work-up, interpretation, differential diagnosis, molecular testing (as applicable) and final diagnosis. 

Research

Royal College research requirements for DCP residents include a research and a Quality improvement/assurance project. Residents have access to the Pathology and Molecular Medicine (PMM) Department Resident Research Grant to which they can submit at any given time. This is in addition to multiple different grants available through hospital services, McMaster and the Royal College. 

PGME sessions

PGME McMaster has numerous sessions on career development, teaching to teach, financial planning, wellness etc.   

Site specific Sessions

Each hospital site has its own set of multidisciplinary rounds encompassing different sub-specialties. 

Resident Research Day

Residents are expected to present at the Annual Residents Research Day.? PGY2 residents often work up an interesting case; however in later years residents are encouraged to undertake more comprehensive projects. DCP residents present at various local, national and international conferences. 

Application

Candidates with Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency must apply to the Laboratory Medicine Program through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Basic eligibility criteria for the program can be viewed at the CaRMs website: www.carms.ca 

Selection Criteria

It may be advantageous, but not mandatory, for applicants to have previous experience or to have taken an elective in pathology. 

Selection is based upon the candidate’s: 

• Academic record 
• Research experience 
• A demonstrated interest in laboratory medicine as a career 

Given the large number of applicants each year, we are not able to offer an interview to all candidates. Personal interviews are offered to candidates based on the criteria listed above and are mandatory for admission to the program. 

International Medical Graduates accepted into the program will have access to the same opportunities, training and experience as Canadian Medical Graduates with the addition of an Assessment Verification Period (AVP) as required by CaRMS. 

Candidate selection will also meet the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion mandate of McMaster University. 

Students will have opportunities to participate in diagnostic and molecular pathology and clinical pathology. The diagnostic and molecular pathology component includes autopsy pathology, cytopathology and surgical pathology. The clinical pathology includes clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology and transfusion medicine. Students will have opportunities to participate in many different areas and understand the roles of Pathologists within clinical settings. This elective is structured to acquaint students with disease processes and to correlate the clinical and pathological abnormalities. Attendance in teaching rounds is encouraged. The number of students that can be accommodated is variable depending upon the space and staff availability. Elective can take place at HGH, MUMC, SJH, JHCC 

*Please note we are not accepting applications for Undergraduate or Postgraduate Observerships at this time 

McMaster Students:

To arrange an elective, submit your selections in your programs MedSIS application system.

VISITING STUDENTS:

Please follow the application guidelines outlined by McMaster Undergraduate Medical School.

If you are interested in an elective in Pathology as part of your postgraduate training you must first ensure that this meets your program requirements and our McMaster Postgraduate Office requirements.

The Diagnostic and Clinical Pathology Residency Program accepts elective requests from residents currently enrolled in postgraduate training programs outside of McMaster University. If you are interested in arranging an elective in Diagnostic and Molecular Pathology please email pmmap@mcmaster.ca. Please ensure you include information on the specific rotation, dates and site you are interested in.

Direct Observation, Written, Slide and Oral Exams, Resident Portfolio