The program’s first year consists of an introductory rotation in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery. During this three-month block, residents rotate through all of our Department’s sites. This allows residents to familiarize themselves with all team members and faculty, as well as with common problems seen in Otolaryngology – Head Neck Surgery. This is followed by nine blocks in both surgical and nonsurgical disciplines related to our specialty. All of these rotations comply with the guidelines of the subspecialty committee in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. These specialties include ICU, general surgery, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, respirology, gastroenterology and neurosurgery.
The PGY-2 year starts with a senior rotation in the ICU, allowing the residents to develop certain independence in the management of sick patients, as they must act as the senior call resident for their unit. Following this rotation, the residents begin in earnest their full time training within the specialty of Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery. This initial year includes rotations at all major teaching hospitals in the role of junior resident. The goal of the year is to allow each resident the ability to develop his or her basic knowledge and skills relating to the specialty.
The PGY-3 year is marked by the beginning of subspecialty rotations. During this year, the residents also participate in a community rotation in the location of their choosing. This allows them to see the full potential of a community practice in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery in Canada. The residents also participate in their first elective rotation.
In the PGY-4, the residents rotate in all subspecialties with the University of Ottawa system, gaining a significant amount of surgical independence throughout the process. During this year, the residents also have two more elective rotations within the specialty. The PGY-4 year is also marked as the year residents take on the responsibilities of chief residents.
In the final year of residency training, the residents have three months of training in head neck oncology, rhinology and otology-neurotology, and one month in both facial plastic surgery and pediatric otolaryngology. During this final year, residents are expected to cover back up calls for the first four months of the residency year (July - October) and are then removed from the nighttime call schedule, in advance of the Royal College Examination in the Spring.
Residents train in two major academic health science centres affiliated with the University of Ottawa. The Ottawa Hospital is one of the largest academic health science centres in Canada and all adult patients are seen at one of three main campuses: General, Civic and Riverside (in which day care procedures are performed). The pediatric teaching centre is the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). All aspects of pediatric care in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery are performed at this site. During their residency, residents will spend most of their time in one of The Ottawa Hospital campuses and eight months at CHEO.
The academic portion of the residency program consists of a two-year subspecialty curriculum, which covers all aspects of training in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery. The academic half-day takes place every Friday morning and the sessions are completely faculty driven. Residents are protected from clinical duties and call during academic half-days. The program also is highlighted by block examinations to help residents assess their progress in knowledge acquisition and by multiple sessions on non-medical expert topics of importance to residents in Otolaryngology - Head Neck Surgery.
