The FRCPC Program at Dalhousie University is the only 5-year EM specialist program in Atlantic Canada. Established in 1990, we are accepting four incoming PGY 1s for the 2024-25 CaRMS cycle. For the most up-to-date information on CaRMS and the application requirements, please refer to the latest CaRMS program description. ​ Our academic day curriculum is based on 2-year Rosen's cycles and includes didactic sessions, exam preparation, adult and PEM simulation, cadaver, and procedural skills sessions. 

 

PGY1 - This year is focused on developing foundational EM skills and getting you oriented to the department and specialty. Get to know the team right away with orientation BBQs, events and retreats!

​

PGY2-4: These years mark the Core stage in the Competency by Design (CBD) curriculum. In our adult EM blocks, we have the choice to do longitudinal pediatric EM shifts. You will have, in total, 16 Adult EM blocks. During this stage, we take longitudinal trauma team leadership roles and toxicology opportunities during emergency (adult and pediatric) medicine blocks. 

​

PGY5: the focus shifts to transition to practice, ensuring that becoming staff is seamless. There is also dedicated time to working on an Area of Concentrated Expertise (ACE) or beginning a fellowship program.

 

Clinical rotations

• EM Home Blocks

  • Adult EM (with optional longitudinal PEM shifts) x 30

  • Pediatric EM x 6

• Critical Care

  • ICU x 3​

  • PICU x 1 

• Anesthesia

  • Adult ​Anesthesia x 1

  • Pediatric Anesthesia x 1

• Surgical 

  • General Surgery x 1 ​

  • Orthopedic Surgery x 1 

  • Plastic Surgery x 1 

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology x 1 

• Medicine 

  • Internal Medicine ED Consults x 1 ​

  • Coronary Care Unit x 1 

  • Neurology Consults/Stroke x 1 

  • Infectious Diseases x 1 

• Psychiatry ED Consults x 1 

• EM specific

  • Trauma Service (in addition to longitudinal rTTL from PGY2-5) x 1 

  • Difficult Airway x 1 

  • Prehospital/EHS x 1 ​

  • Toxicology x 1 

  • PoCUS x 1

  • Teacher-Leader x 1

  • Research Block x 2 (Can be taken together or split as shift reduction longitudinally).  

• Elective x 6

​

FAQ

• How many ED shifts/month? 16 with shift reduction for exam year. 

• Can I self schedule? Yes in R4/R5 you pick your schedule! 

• What is the breakdown of shift acuity/type? For PGY1 & 5 FRCPC, there is an equal split between pod 1, charge & pod 3.  For FRCPC core & ESEM residents, they get 2 extra charge shifts per block. Though the linear geography of our department means that residents routinely get called in for resuscitations no matter what shift they're on! 

• Shift time breakdown? Even shift split between day/evening/overnight with shift overlap/casino. Good for wellness! 

• Is there an academic full day? Yes - every Wednesday (with Tuesdays protected from overnight shifts!).

• Can I schedule vacation on and off service? Yes! 

• What is the admin support like? We are lucky to have an amazing dedicated experienced program admin, Lauren! 

• When and where can I moonlight? Residents can moonlight in PICU, ICU, and Community EM after their core blocks in R3 (ICU/EM) or R4 (PICU). 

• What are the parental leave policies? Parental leave is strongly supported with flexible support based on trainee preferences - some take three months, some take a year! We respect the humanity of our residents. Further detail on the parental leave policy can be found on the MarDocs website. 

• What is the average commute? <10 minutes 

• Who manages procedures? Our EM physicians have a wide scope- ED airways are entirely managed by EM physicians, reductions and casting are managed by EM unless ortho support is requested, lines/etc., are managed by EM. We get a ton of procedures here. 

• When do you start resident trauma team leadership (rTTL)? R2 

• Are staff fee-for-service or salaried? Salaried - which lets them balance good patient flow and taking time for teaching on shift.