The Residency Training Programme in Medical Biochemistry at McMaster University is a totally integrated programme involving the University and the four teaching Hospitals within the City. There is a co-ordinated series of regional laboratory programmes which has developed areas of expertise and specialized facilities at one or other of the participating hospitals. This rationalization provides a high standard of care for the community and excellent educational opportunities for residents in the various specialty programmes.
The Medical Biochemistry Programme is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The first three postgraduate years (PGY1-3) will be based in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. The candidate will be expected to complete the PGY 1-3 component satisfactorily, including the RCPSC examination in either Internal Medicine or Pediatrics. The Medical Biochemistry Program trains physicians to effectively understand the use of biochemical testing in clinical practice. The program prepares residents for both laboratory and clinical practice. The role of a Laboratory Physician is very variable and includes taking on the role of Laboratory Director; running the clinical chemistry component of the laboratory, running the core laboratory and special chemistry sections of the laboratory. In addition many medical biochemists have active research programs and Medical Biochemistry is well placed for residents who have an interest in the Clinician Investigator Program. (CIP).
Integration of the Medical Biochemistry Programme with the post doctoral training programme in Clinical Biochemistry and the medical biochemistry component of the General Pathology Programme provides the residents with an opportunity to work with colleagues in these closely related fields. Residents carry the Clinical Biochemistry pager when they are ready acting as front-line consultants for Medical Biochemistry. Although responsibilities for delivery of analytical services is limited, residents are involved in all aspects of selecting and instituting new pieces of instrumentation or new procedures. Residents are expected to follow such a project to its introduction into the laboratory routine providing expertise and acting as a resource for laboratory personnel. Whenever possible, residents are involved in management team decisions regarding staff selection, quality control surveillance, budget review, etc. Trainees are, from the outset, regular members of the Clinical Chemistry and Immunology Advisory Committee and as such attend all meetings and participate as full members along with their faculty colleagues. Each of the Clinical Biochemistry laboratories is organized to ensure that quality service can be provided independently from resident activity thus ensuring that educational events have the highest priority and residents never forgo academic sessions in order to provide service. |
