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Education

Teaching Hospitals
Programs
Seminars
Selection Criteria
Interviews
Personal Letter
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Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)

1. Teaching Hospitals

The University Health Network hospitals (Toronto General, Princess Margaret, Toronto Western), Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children.

2. Programs

Renal transplantation, Multi disciplinary comprehensive cancer program, Comprehensive program for urinary stone management and endourology including extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy, male infertility and Pediatric urology, Neuro Urology including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and reconstructive surgery, infection (Centre for Infection and Biomedical Research).

PGY–1

Trainees will rotate through 4 months adult general surgery, 2 months emergency, 2 months surgery elective, 2 months medicine, and 2 months adult urology. Year 1 is designed to meet educational objectives for core training as defined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and to prepare for Part II of the Mcc Examination.

PGY–2

This year will consist of 3 months pediatric urology, 4 months adult urology, 3 months nephrology/transplant and 2 months SICU. This year will complete the core training requirements for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and Part II of the MCC Examination will be passed. The principles of Surgery exam will be taken after this year is completed.

PGY–3&4

Years 3 and 4 will be spent rotating through the teaching hospital urology services in 3 month assignments. These assignments will be programmatic in nature, i.e. oncology, infertility, urodynamics and neurogenic bladder, stone disease etc. Each assignment will be spent in the teaching hospital which focuses primarily in this area. Responsibility levels will vary slightly with the different rotations and there will be cross coverage of general urology in each institution. The trainee will have an opportunity to progress through defined educational objectives in a very focussed manner with a large patient volume. An opportunity for clinical investigation will be provided. Opportunities for full time research are available through the Surgical Scientist Program. This involves rotating off urology with a full time commitment in wet or dry lab type research. Mentors will be identified amongst the faculty or in other centers if appropriate. A higher degree is obtained (M.Sc., Ph.D.)

PGY–5

The final year is spent as a senior resident running a large in-patient/out-patient service with intense operative exposure. This will encompass all aspects of surgical and clinical urology in two 6-month rotations.

Downtime one morning per week is a focused seminar program ("Urology School") in urology and includes the Journal Club. A basic science lecture series takes place during the first two years to prepare for the POS exam. Rounds for uroradiology and uropathology are arranged. Each teaching hospital has weekly rounds. Visiting professors provide further academic stimulation at least four times per year. Many of the faculty are prominent in their own fields and have regular visitors as well. Fellows from other universities spend1-2 years in various programs within the division and visiting sabbatical staff may be present.

An acceptable academic record which demonstrates special proficiency in those subjects related to urology.
Candidates should have a proven interest in urology. This can be demonstrated by electives in urology or related fields.
Some references should be obtained from academic Urological specialists. References should be able to attest to interest and proficiency in the specialty as well as comments on exemplary interpersonal skills.
Candidates with an interest and proven experience in research, both in basic science and clinical research are encouraged to apply, however the lack of research experience does not prelude acceptance.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with maturity, empathy and sensitivity are required.
Candidates who aspire to a career in academic urology are particularly encouraged because of the depth of resources at the University of Toronto which is the largest biomedical education and research institution in North America.

Pre–screening will be conducted. A final list of applicants will be invited to attend an interview session in January at the Canadian Urology Fair in Toronto. Most of the Canadian urology programs will also send a team to interview candidates on the same date. If it is impossible for candidates to attend this fixed date, individual dates can be arranged. A full day should be allowed for the interview process. Video conferencing interviews not permitted.

We prefer, but do not require, a personal statement. Prior to the interview, candidates may be asked to submit a goal statement.

There is no absolute requirement regarding reference letters, but we expect letters from selective supervisors.

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