Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Program Director

Dr. Stephanie Plamondon
Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

stephanie.plamondon@albertahealthservices.ca

For further information see also:
http://www.carms.ca 
http://www.ucalgary.ca/dcns/divisions

Program Outline
The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation program at the University of Calgary is an accredited program, which meets the training requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. We can accommodate 2 residents per year of training.

The program has a close association with the Divisions of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Rheumatology.

Residents will have an opportunity to acquire skills necessary to function as a physiatrist in an interdisciplinary team and be exposed to physiatrists both in academic and community settings. There is ample elective and selective time to allow residents to customize their training to meet the needs of their future practice.

PGY-1 to 5
Twelve months of basic clinical residency to be completed within the first 18 months of residency
consisting of:

 

1. 6 months in internal medicine, which must include at least 3 months of general medical training;
2. 2 months in surgery consisting of 1 month each in 2 of the following: general surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, urology, or vascular surgery;
3. 4 months consisting of 1 month each in four of the following: anesthesia, elective, family medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, and radiology;
4. a minimum of 3 months each of rheumatology, neurology, and orthopedics;
5. a minimum of one month in cardiac and/or respiratory rehabilitation;
6. a minimum of 3 months each in the following areas of rehabilitation: traumatic brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, pediatrics, orthotics and prosthetics;
7. a minimum of 4 months of neuromuscular rehabilitation (including, but not exclusively, electromyography);
8. a minimum of 6 months of musculoskeletal rehabilitation;
9. a minimum of 3 months or research.

Note: rotations are scheduled in 4-wekk blocks.

Seminars and Rounds
Weekly educational half days take place every Thursday. Residents will have protected time to attend. The seminars are organized by the Residency Training Committee to cover the educational guidelines as set by the Specialty Committee of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of the Royal College.

Regular teaching sessions specific to each rotation are organized with the rotation preceptor.

There are monthly Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Grand Rounds and monthly Journal Clubs. Department of Clinical Neurosciences Grand Rounds are held every Friday from 8-10 a.m. Residents are encouraged to attend off-service rounds whenever possible.

Research
Research is a required component of the program. There is a minimum of 3 months of PM&R dedicated to research, but residents have the opportunity of elective time to be involved in additional research activities.

Research mentors may be physiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, or rheumatologists, depending on area of interest.

Through the Department of Clinical Neurosciences the Division has access to nationally and internationally recognized researchers in neurology and neurosurgery. The Division is also part of the developing Bone & Joint Institute and residents will have access to world-renowned researchers in the area of musculoskeletal medicine.

Residents will be supported in doing a Master's degree (e.g., epidemiology, medical education, or health administration) during their residency if they so desire.

Resources

• Foothills Medical Centre
• Peter Lougheed Centre
• Rockyview General Hospital / Glenmore Centre
• Fanning Centre
• Alberta Children's Hospital

Selection Criteria
All selection to the residency program is through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). The program is especially interested in selecting candidates with the following:

• Solid academic standing;
• Demonstrated interest in PM&R;
• A personal letter outlining the candidate's interest in PM&R, what attributes they possess for becoming a good physiatrist, and eventual career goals in PM&R;
• Three letters of reference, including at least one from a physiatrist who knows the candidate well enough to comment on suitability for the specialty;
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, good interpersonal skills;
• Candidates with an interest and proven experience in either basic sciences or clinical research are encouraged to apply.