Respiratory Medicine Residency Training (R4+)

Program Overview

The primary mission of the McGill Respirology Training Program is to develop outstanding pulmonary specialists who will become future leaders in clinical medicine, education, and research. Our goal is to produce exemplary physicians who are knowledgeable, compassionate, and comprehensive in their approach to patient care. Our residents receive in-depth exposure to a wide spectrum of respiratory conditions and become experts in their management, ensuring they will serve as effective respiratory consultants with competencies spanning all CanMEDS domains. We also seek to foster the personalized career goals of our trainees whether it be in academia or community-based practice.

Program Benefits

Respirology at McGill University has a longstanding international reputation for outstanding clinical care, education, and research. For example, the Montreal Chest Institute has been recognized by Newsweek magazine as among the World’s Best Hospitals for multiple consecutive years. Several past presidents of the Canadian Thoracic Society, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society were trained at McGill. Our current training program builds on these proud traditions, preparing our residents to capitalize on emerging innovations and to become future leaders in the field. We are also strongly committed to the communities whom we serve and to the alleviation of health care disparities in patients suffering from respiratory diseases.

Program Strengths

Learning resources include a state-of-the-art simulation centre where the McGill bronchoscopy course is offered annually for all respirology training programs in the province of Quebec. We have a wide variety of unique ambulatory clinic experiences including our Respiratory Day Hospital which also serves as a learning centre for respiratory procedures and acute respiratory care. The Montreal Chest Institute is an immigration screening centre for tuberculosis, and we serve Indigenous patients by partnering with Northern Nunavik Health Services (Ullivik) and Cree Patient Services. The Division has two joint clinical rounds attended by all clinical faculty and trainees across all sites. The first is a weekly one-hour didactic presentation on various topics in respiratory medicine, which both faculty and fellows share responsibility for preparing on a rotating basis. The second is a weekly 90-minute review of cases from the consultation services, which is heavily focused on interpretation of chest radiology by the fellows and honing their clinical decision-making skills. Other highlights include a weekly academic half-day, a monthly journal club, and participation in M&M rounds. Residents are provided with funding to attend one respirology conference per academic year. PGY-5 residents are also financially supported to attend the Canadian Thoracic Society meeting.

Living in Montreal

Montreal is one of Canada’s oldest cities. Founded in 1642 by French colonists, Montreal is globally recognized as a major academic, industrial and cultural centre. Its unique mix of French and English cultures along with contributions from many other linguistic and ethnic groups has made Montreal a truly international city. Located on the St. Lawrence River, and built around Mount Royal, Montreal has a population of approximately 2 million. Montreal is also the perfect place for foodies; it is known for its vibrant culinary landscape that is greatly influenced by its culturally diverse population. Festivals are almost continuous during the summer months, with over 120 festivals to choose from throughout the year. There is easy access to surrounding lakes and mountains for the outdoor enthusiast, either in the Laurentiens or the Eastern Townships.

Curriculum

Schedule

For PGY-4 Trainees: The primary goal during this first year of the program is rapid acquisition of the core knowledge and skills required for effective clinical management of the most frequent respiratory problems. This includes: 1) a systematic approach to the evaluation of respiratory diseases, 2) accurate interpretation of radiologic and physiologic studies (chest radiographs, chest CT, routine pulmonary function tests, exercise studies, polysomnography), and 3) learning standard bronchoscopic and pleural procedures, including ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. The McGill Bronchoscopy course for Quebec-based trainees and the McGill Pleural course are offered in the first two weeks of training. As residents enter the transition to discipline phase, they will have ample opportunity to acquire these skills and competencies through rotations on the consultation services, Respiratory Day Hospital, and Respiratory ICU. With appropriate supervision, the respirology residents ordinarily perform all bronchoscopies during these rotations. A thorough understanding of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and emergency skills in airway management and vascular access, are additional learning goals. Elective choices are diverse, and can include lung transplantation (at Université de Montreal), chest radiology, occupational lung disease, thoracic surgery, pediatric respirology, community respirology and interventional pulmonology.

For PGY-5 Trainees: The main objectives during the second year of the program are: 1) consolidation of wide-ranging, up-to-date knowledge in respiratory medicine, including chest radiology and respiratory physiology, 2) mastery of procedural and consultation skills, and 3) increasing independence and autonomy as a respiratory medicine consultant. Specialized ambulatory clinics attended by residents during this year include (but are not limited to) tuberculosis, asthma, COPD/rehabilitation, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, thoracic surgery, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, home ventilation, and sleep disorders. PGY-5 respiratory residents act as teachers for the Small Group Respiratory Physiology sessions of first year medical students at McGill. The residents also complete a research project during this year, which can involve either basic science or clinical/epidemiologic investigations. Research blocks range from 2-6 months depending upon the resident's desired career path and learning objectives. For residents planning a career in community respirology, a research project in quality assurance and improvement (QA/QI) is a popular option. For residents considering a research career in academia, 6 months of research is recommended. As residents enter the final phase of CBD, transition to practice, junior attending rotations are scheduled in the Respiratory Day Hospital, consultation service and inpatient respirology ward.

Application Process

The McGill Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Office has created a website that provides application processes for applicants. While the PGME website already has all the required information, we're providing extra support with quick links below to help you navigate the application process for Subspecialty Residency Training Programs (R4-R5) more easily.

Selection Criteria

We are looking for outstanding physicians and future leaders who are passionate about advancing respiratory health through disease prevention, improved access, quality improvement, advances in healthcare education, and research.

The selection criteria for successful applicants include the following attributes:

• track record of academic (including research) and clinical excellence
• intellectual honesty, curiosity, openness, and enthusiasm
• strong teaching skills and the motivation to transmit knowledge to others
• outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to be a team player who is collaborative and respectful at all times, recognizing the roles and contributions of others
• engaged in self-directed learning and accepting of feedback
• professionalism including a strong sense of personal responsibility for the continuity of patient care (“taking ownership”)