The University of Saskatchewan Postgraduate Medical Education Office wishes to retain the possibility of granting a waiver of training after an approved leave of absence for Residents, in accordance with the policies of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

Granting of a waiver of training after a leave of absence is considered to be the exception rather than the standard procedure.

Waiver of training after a leave of absence does not mean that a Resident can shorten training because s/he has performed well and would like to start practicing earlier than the planned end of the residency.

This policy applies to all Residents in all residency training program at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

This policy is based on the RCPSC Policy and Procedures for Certification and Fellowship- Modification of Residency Training, and College of Family Physicians of Canada Requirements for Residency - Leaves of Absence.

A decision to waive training after an approved leave of absence can be made during the year the Resident is scheduled to write their certification exam.  Waivers cannot be granted after the Resident has written the certification examinations.

Granting of a waiver of training after a leave of absence is considered to be the exception; Programs and Residents must not assume that a waiver will be approved and should plan the final year of training and graduation date accordingly.

A decision not to grant a waiver of training cannot be appealed.

The duration of training may be reduced following an approved leave of absence on a recommendation by the Program Director with final approval by the Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education. Before recommending a waiver of training the Program Director must be satisfied that the Resident will achieve a minimum level of competence by the end of the final year of training.

The maximum length of a waiver of training for Residents in Family Medicine residency training programs will be four weeks. Family Medicine Residents registered in enhanced skills programs of one year or less in duration must complete the entire duration of training.

Royal College residency training programs maximum allowable times for waivers: One year program – no waiver allowed; Less than one year for Remediation or Enhanced Skills – no waiver allowed; Two year program – six weeks; Three year program – six weeks; Four year program – three months; Five year program – three months; Six year program – three months.

In Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, where Residents are undertaking three years of training with an Internal Medicine or Pediatrics program, a maximum of six weeks may be waived for these three years of training. Subsequently, a maximum of six weeks of training may be waived for the following 2/3 years of training under the subspecialty program. Subspecialty training with a different program is treated separately for the purpose of the waiver of training, and can only be taken in the final year of training.

If the Resident undertakes three years of Internal Medicine or Pediatrics training at one university and switches to another university for subspecialty training, it is the responsibility of the Postgraduate Dean at the corresponding institution to approve the waiver of training.

All mandatory rotations must be satisfactorily completed. Residents who fail rotations or undergo remedial training for any reason are not entitled to claim a waiver of training.

Waiver of training does not mean that a Resident can shorten training because s/he has performed well and would like to start practicing earlier than the planned end of the residency. Residents must be aware that commitments regarding any new employment can only be timed for when their residency officially ends.

Residents who are granted waiver of training and then go on to fail their certification examinations are not entitled to additional funding to extend their residency.

Instances or concerns of non-compliance with this policy should be brought to the attention of the Associate Dean, PGME.

Procedure for waiver of training after a leave of absence

Coordinator for Academic and Non-academic Processes, PGME Office

Phone: 306-966-6145