Welcome

The Adult Rheumology Subspecialty Training Program at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is a two-year core program covering all areas of general rheumatology. We aim to provide a supportive and learner-oriented approach to rheumatology training and pride ourselves of a flexible program which helps learners meet their goals and solidify the skills required by the Royal College subspecialty certification in Adult Rheumatology.

The rheumatology program is overseen by a core group of teachers who are deeply invested in furthering the education of learners and who represent diverse types of rheumatology practice.  The program at the university of Saskatchewan provides a thorough grounding in general rheumatology and our graduates do well in this field, but we do strive to access additional educational opportunities for residents who wish to sub subspecialize or who have interests in specific areas of rheumatology.

Subspecialty residents receive training principally at community clinics in Saskatoon and at the Royal University Hospital and Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. Training is heavily geared towards Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) requirements and trainees receive excellent preparation for the RCPSC examinations.

Program Description

The rheumatology program follows the objectives of the RCPSC. During the two-year program, ample time is spent in both academic and community/private practice-based settings.

Formal experience in Pediatric Rheumatology is achieved through a protected rotation in Pediatric Rheumatology in the second year of training.

Metabolic Bone Disease, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Orthopedic rotations are included to incorporate a diversity of experience and proficiency in subspecialty areas integral to community-based practice.

A protected academic Half Day is established with a rolling two-year detailed curriculum.  Learners are given protected learning time following rheumatology grand rounds on Tuesday mornings.  The half day includes didactic and practical sessions and covers diverse aspects of rheumatology practice including academic subjects, office management, fatigue risk management/wellness, EDI and patient safety among other topics.

One block of research is also included as a mandatory rotation for each of the two years in training. Residents with projects that have been accepted for presentation at major meetings will receive funding to travel to those conferences.

As residents progress through the program, they assume increasing responsibility under appropriate supervision with the flexibility to be self-directed in defining their own educational needs. Ambulatory care is emphasized in our program to expand the patient spectrum upon which to learn. Rheumatology residents take part in a longitudinal clinic experience with their “own” patient population.

Courses the residents are required to participate in throughout the two-year program include TIPS and Critical Appraisal.

The principle objective of the first year of residency training in Adult Rheumatology is to provide the trainee with core knowledge and foundation skills requisite to the specialty of Adult Rheumatology.

Highlights

  • General rheumatology out-patient clinics
  • Selective Rotations in:
    • Metabolic bone Disease (1 block)
    • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (1 block)
    • MSK Radiology (1 block)
    • Elective of own choosing (1 block)
  • Longitudinal Rheumatology Resident's clinic one-half day per week (Sept-June)
  • Inpatient consultations
  • Development of a research project suitable for presentation at a National Meeting
    • Rheumatology residents participate in weekly Division of Rheumatology Rounds/Journal Club and Rheumatology seminars - specialized MSK clinical skills
    • Rheumatology residents may attend one or more national/international rheumatology meetings each year, for which some financial support is provided.

The principle objective of the second year of residency training is to consolidate and refine knowledge as well as clinical skills acquired during the first year.

Highlights

  • General rheumatology out-patient clinics (minimum 3/week).
  • Rotations in:
    • Pediatric Rheumatology (1 block)
    • Selective rotation in Orthopedic Surgery (1 block)
  • Two electives of own choosing
    • The longitudinal rheumatology resident's clinic will have the resident function as the primary consultant with supervision from the staff person commensurate with perceived competence
  • Inpatient consultations
  • Execution, analysis and writing up of the research project
    • The trainee will assume the role of junior consultant in the approach and management of inpatients and consultations both RUH-based and community based

Application Requirements

Applications for our program are through the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS).

Further information can be found on the CaRMS website. Application is through the CARMS website. The information below includes tables detailing necessary documentation for Canadian and International Medical Graduates.

All applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents (hold Landed Immigrant status in Canada) at the time of application. 

Applicants who are not eligible at our institution include:

  • VISA students studying at Canadian Medical Schools (and those with work permits). USask has a postgraduate training agreement with the Embassy of the State of Kuwait (ESK). Applicants sponsored by the ESK must apply to our R-4 programs outside the CaRMS match.
  • Students whose postgraduate training is funded by the Department of National Defense.

Applicants whose funding is provided by an external organization, and who are committed to a return of service agreement with the funding organization, must provide a letter from the funding organization which clearly indicates that the funding organization is aware of, and approves, the applicant applying to the R-4 match in CaRMS.

For the protection of the individual resident and their patients, all successful applicants are required to submit immunization records and proof of immunity (titres) to Hepatitis B (Anti-HBs titre), varicella, and rubella, measles and mumps (MMR), prior to commencement of training.

Additional information and eligibility criteria that applicants must be aware of and are responsible to read and review are indicated on the University of Saskatchewan Overview at: 

Document

Mandatory

Optional

Medical school transcript
A notarized/certified copy of applicant's medical school marks/transcripts must be submitted. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

 

Reference letter
Number of letters: 3
The reference letters should written by those who can best describe your suitability for residency training in General Internal Medicine, including one from your current program director. The letter from you program director should confirm that you are in good standing and expected to complete at least your third year of Internal Medicine prior to the intended start of your General Internal Medicine training. Reference letters must be current (within the last 6 months). Undated letters will not be accepted.

X

 

Medical School Performance Record
A notarized/certified copy of applicant's Medical School Performance Record must be submitted. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

 

Personal letter
Your letter should outline your strengths and weaknesses as well as interests other than medicine. Your career ambitions should also be detailed with comment as to how General Internal Medicine satisfies these goals. The personal letter should not exceed 750 words.

X

 

Proof of Citizenship
Submit one of the following documents as proof of citizenship. Please note that documents must be notarized/certified:

  • Canadian Birth Certificate
  • Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
  • Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of the card) or Certificate Record of Landing, clearly showing the date of landing
  • Permanent Resident Card (both sides of the card)

X

 

Photograph

 

X

Curriculum Vitae

X

 

MCCQEI
Priority may be given to those who have successfully completed the MCCQE (Part I) or (Part II). Applicants who have passed these exams must include copies of exam results in their application.

 

X

MCCQEII

 

X

MD Degree
A notarized/certified copy of medical degree/diploma must be submitted. Applicants must be a graduate of an acceptable medical school as identified by: WHO Directory of Medical Schools (World Health Organization); OR, FAIMER International Medical Education Directory (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research). Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

Document

Mandatory

Optional

Medical school transcript
A notarized/certified copy of applicant's medical school marks/transcripts must be submitted. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

 

Reference letter
Number of letters: 3
The reference letters should written by those who can best describe your suitability for residency training in General Internal Medicine, including one from your current program director. The letter from you program director should confirm that you are in good standing and expected to complete at least your third year of Internal Medicine prior to the intended start of your General Internal Medicine training. Reference letters must be current (within the last 6 months). Undated letters will not be accepted.

X

 

Medical School Performance Record
A notarized/certified copy of applicant's Medical School Performance Record must be submitted. Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

 

Personal letter
Your letter should outline your strengths and weaknesses as well as interests other than medicine. Your career ambitions should also be detailed with comment as to how General Internal Medicine satisfies these goals. The personal letter should not exceed 750 words.

X

 

Proof of Citizenship
Submit one of the following documents as proof of citizenship. Please note that documents must be notarized/certified:

  • Canadian Birth Certificate
  • Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
  • Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of the card) or Certificate Record of Landing, clearly showing the date of landing
  • Permanent Resident Card (both sides of the card)

X

 

Photograph

 

X

Curriculum Vitae

X

 

MCCEE

X

 

MCCQEI
Priority may be given to those who have successfully completed the MCCQE (Part I) or (Part II). Applicants who have passed these exams must include copies of exam results in their application.

X

 

MCCQEII

 

X

Proof of language proficiency
IMG applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. Applicants whose undergraduate medical school training was in a language other than English must provide proof of achieving a TOEFL score as follows (within the last four years): ≥600 on the written based exam, ≥250 on the computer based exam, or ≥100 on the iBT (internet-based).
The only exception to the English language requirement is if the applicant completed their entire undergraduate medical education in one of the following countries: United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. 
NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE for the English Language Requirements as outlined above. We do not accept a copy of the FAIMER page for the applicant's medical school as proof of English language proficiency.

X

 

MD Degree
A notarized/certified copy of medical degree/diploma must be submitted. Applicants must be a graduate of an acceptable medical school as identified by: WHO Directory of Medical Schools (World Health Organization); OR, FAIMER International Medical Education Directory (Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research). Documents that are not in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

X

 

RCPSC Ruling Letter
Applicants who have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and who are training in the United States in an Internal Medicine Program must provide a ruling letter from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

X

 

The Internal Medicine fellowship match is now handled by CARMS.  For more information, please see the links below:

Testimonial

"The rheumatology training program at the University of Saskatchewan is a wonderful program which I would highly recommend to any resident looking to become a rheumatologist. This program stands out in its ability to train strong clinicians and does so though a wide breadth of clinical exposures and learning opportunities. You will have the opportunity to see and manage rare disease across the spectrum of illness.

The weekly fellows led longitudinal clinic gives you the ability to take ownership of your own patients as you are provided with graduated responsibility as your training progresses. This will ensure you feel confident in your ability to independently practise by the end of your training.

The smaller nature of the program allows for tailored learning, and you will have independence and flexibility to mold your training to how you want to practise when you are independent.

The physicians and support staff are incredibly friendly and available when needed. You will not be a stranger here in Saskatchewan and will develop long lasting relationships with your staff and coresidents.

If you choose Saskatchewan, you will thoroughly enjoy your training and the people that you do it with."

- Dr. Michael Schinold, PGY5