Western University

Program Highlights

Type of curriculum: PGY1 block based; PGY2 longitudinal placement in family practice.

Curricular outline[1]:

PGY1: 20 wks FM (Hanover Medical Clinic); 4 wks each of pediatrics, OB/GYN, general surgery, medicine, geriatrics (hospital or LTC subject to availability), palliative care; 8 wks electives (up to 12 wks of electives outside Southwestern ON is permissible; 4 wks can OOP over the 2-year program).

PGY2: Heavily focused on longitudinal family medicine. 40 wks FM (Hanover Medical Clinic); 8 wks electives; 4 wks medicine-selective.

Unique features:

Strong focus on training rural generalist physicians. Extensive exposure to the ER, OB, acute internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry. Local physician interests include procedural sedation, dermatology, women's health, sports medicine and concussion, anesthesia, and palliative care.[2]

Scholarly activities:

Mandatory resident research or quality improvement project.[3]

Community Highlights

Recreation: Parks and trails, ice rink and close to outdoor recreation (1h drive to Collingwood). The Saugeen River runs through Hanover and offers some of the best canoeing and fishing in the province.

Cost of living: Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,700/mo. 

Resident Testimonial

“My favourite part about the Hanover program is the breadth and variety of training. On a single day, you are often called upon to wear several different “hats”. One memorable shift found me being called out of the emergency department to deliver a baby, returning to emerg to diagnose a patient with acute appendicitis, discussing the case with our local surgeon, bringing them to the operating room, intubating the patient, and scrubbing into assist the surgeon before returning to emerg to finish my shift. If you want full-scope family medicine training, Hanover is the place to be!”

—Dr. Jeffrey Dietrich, R2