Research

Research

Extensive opportunities exist for residents to participate in research. Residents are expected to do basic and/or clinical research projects in their PGY – 2, 3, and 4th years with the findings to be presented at the annual General Surgery Resident’s Research Day held in mid-April.

Residents wishing to complete basic research will start after their PGY – 2 or 5 year. Supervisors, projects and funding are available to support research training in the broad areas of basic sciences, surgical education, clinical outcome studies, and technology development. Research presentations are presented annually at the Division of General Surgery’s Research Day, as well as the Department of Surgery’s Resident Research Day and are eligible for generous awards. Recent graduates of our program have consistently won national awards such as the Canadian Association of General Surgeons Resident Research prize. The nature of the research program is designed to provide experience for persons preparing for a wide variety of careers in General Surgery where research experience is important. This ranges from participation in ongoing research studies through out the residency to highly intensive two or three year training in our Surgeon-Scientist Program or the Royal College accredited Clinician Investigator Program.

Residents who desire intensive research experience should express their interest to the Program Director during their first year. Options include one year of research training or two to three full years of training in the Surgeon-Scientist or Clinician Investigator Programs leading to an MSc or PhD. Funding for research must be arranged in advance in conjunction with the Director of Surgical Research, Dr. C. Anderson and the Director of the Clinician Investigator Program, Dr. M.S. McMurtry.

Clinician Investigator Program

The Clinician Investigator Program is a program intended to provide residents with first-class training in clinical and research settings. It is designed for residents who wish to refine their research skills and to promote their careers as clinical scientists. CIP is open to all residents who are registered in a postgraduate clinical program within the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

The CIP offers core research training, which equates to two years towards a Master’s degree. Training takes place at complementary times during clinical years. This program will give residents special certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Research opportunities for postgraduate trainees are numerous. Interested individuals should contact a prospective supervisor and/or the division director, department chair, or graduate co-ordinator of the unit where the proposed research would occur.

Remuneration during CIP (from PARA contract article 35.06):

35.06 Clinical Investigator Program (CIP)

• For a maximum of two (2) years, Resident Physicians participating in the CIP shall be remunerated during each year of the CIP, and shall receive full benefits.

• For Resident Physicians registered in the CIP after July 1, 2017, the Pay Level for Resident Physicians during the CIP, and upon return to their regular residency program, will account for the total number of years of accredited training completed in both their regular residency program and the CIP, up to a maximum of the typical number of years required to compete certification in the applicable program as determined by the Faculties. For example, a Resident Physician who completes three (3) years of a regular five (5) year residency program before entering the CIP would be paid at Pay Level IV during the first year of the CIP and Pay Level V in the second year. Upon returning to the regular residency program, they would be paid at Pay Level V for the remaining two years of their residency program