McMaster University

Program Highlights

Type of curriculum: Block + integration  (half days back to primary family clinic when off-service)

PGY1: 4 blocks of FM, 2 blocks of care of the hospitalized adult, 2 blocks

of EM, 2 blocks of women's health and OB, 2 blocks of peds, 1 block of

FM/academic programming,

PGY2: 4 blocks of FM, 2 blocks of rural FM, 2 blocks of core

medicine/surgery, 1 block of Care of the Elderly, 3 blocks of electives, 1

block of FM/academic programming

Unique features:

• Comprehensive care 

  • The Grimsby Rural Family Medicine Training Program boasts a range of diverse family practices in Grimsby and the nearby communities of Smithville and Beamsville. This program emphasizes comprehensive care, with local physicians managing their own inpatients, providing prenatal care, making house calls, and caring for palliative patients both at home and in hospice settings. The West Lincoln Memorial Hospital is a community-run institution where family physicians are integral to providing emergency care, obstetrical services, and anesthesia. The collaborative environment includes support from a small group of specialists in internal medicine, surgery, and obstetrics/gynecology. 

• Family Physicians Providing Acute Care

  • The hospital has a strong family practice anesthesia run operating room as well as many family physicians working in the emergency department which offers opportunities to use and refine POCUS skills. 

  • The newborn care roster also allows family physicians to follow newborns in the hospital and manage neonatal crises with transportation and support available if needed to tertiary care facilities 

• Strong Obstetrical Teaching Unit 

  • Obstetrical rotations are completed locally in Grimsby with both obstetricians and a family physician with an obstetrics focus, as well as at the tertiary care center in St. Catharines which allows for exposure to a diverse range of obstetrical practices.

• Palliative Care opportunities

  • Physicians provide care to their own palliative patients with Palliative Care specialists available to support in the local hospice and in the community 

Scholarly activities:

All residents gain core competencies in research via the InQuiry Curriculum

Additional research opportunities beyond the core curriculum

PGY3 enhanced skills opportunities in research and scholarship 

Course funding:

Salary and benefits determined by PARO - 4 weeks of paid vacation, 17-35 of pregnancy/parental leave top-up, dental/extended health coverage

Community Highlights

Recreation:

Fishing, boating and water sports on Lake Ontario; hiking and cycling

along the Niagara Escarpment and Bruce Trail; organized sports and

leisure activities.

Cultural notes:

Strong agricultural roots, proximity to Niagara Wine Country.

Cost of living:

Average cost of 1-bedroom apartment between $1695 - $2350

Resident Testimonial

“If you want to finish your training in a learner-centered environment that

provides many opportunities to become competent as a full spectrum

practice family physician in a rural community, while also living close to

urban centers, then Grimsby is the place to be!”

—Grimsby Family Medicine Resident