Curriculum PGY1‑2
A strong start
Your first two years of postgraduate residency training - PGY1 and PGY2 - are part of an integrated core program in surgery.
PGY1
You will start your first year with an “Orthopaedic Boot Camp,” which will give you all the skills you will need to work through all of the services.
Rotations during your first year of training include:
Orthopaedics
This is an introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery at Dalhousie University. First year residents are placed on a service that is deemed most compatible with your level of training.
Orthopaedics
This is an introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery at Dalhousie University. First year residents are placed on a service that is deemed most compatible with your level of training.
Pediatric Orthopaedics
The first year rotation at the IWK gives first year residents a solid foundation in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and helps you learn the fundamentals of good casting techniques.
Research
The core lecture series is a mandatory component of your first year and is carried out during the summer months. Each resident is asked to meet with the resident research committee prior to the commencement of this rotation. Preparation of a presentation for Resident Research Day is strongly encouraged.
Neurosurgery
The neurosurgery rotation takes place at both the Halifax Infirmary and the IWK Health Centre. Residents gain exposure to the management of cervical fractures, elective spinal conditions, and head injuries.
Emergency
The Emergency Department at the QEII Health Sciences Centre is a busy tertiary care emergency room in which wide exposure to all aspects of medicine can be gained.
Anesthesia
Usually done at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Anesthesia rotation gives exposure to techniques of general anesthesia as well as regional anesthesia and resuscitation techniques.
Rheumatology
This is an ambulatory rotation where you are exposed to a wide array of arthritic conditions.
Geriatrics
On the geriatric service, orthopaedic residents perform inpatient consultations for delirium and postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients. You will also follow patients on the inpatient service and will see many patients in the geriatric assessment unit.
Orthopaedics
This is an introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery at Dalhousie University. First year residents are placed on a service that is deemed most compatible with your level of training.
Pediatric Orthopaedics
The first year rotation at the IWK gives first year residents a solid foundation in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and helps you learn the fundamentals of good casting techniques.
Research
The core lecture series is a mandatory component of your first year and is carried out during the summer months. Each resident is asked to meet with the resident research committee prior to the commencement of this rotation. Preparation of a presentation for Resident Research Day is strongly encouraged.
Neurosurgery
The neurosurgery rotation takes place at both the Halifax Infirmary and the IWK Health Centre. Residents gain exposure to the management of cervical fractures, elective spinal conditions, and head injuries.
Emergency
The Emergency Department at the QEII Health Sciences Centre is a busy tertiary care emergency room in which wide exposure to all aspects of medicine can be gained.
Anesthesia
Usually done at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Anesthesia rotation gives exposure to techniques of general anesthesia as well as regional anesthesia and resuscitation techniques.
Rheumatology
This is an ambulatory rotation where you are exposed to a wide array of arthritic conditions.
Geriatrics
On the geriatric service, orthopaedic residents perform inpatient consultations for delirium and postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients. You will also follow patients on the inpatient service and will see many patients in the geriatric assessment unit.
Orthopaedics
This is an introduction to Orthopaedic Surgery at Dalhousie University. First year residents are placed on a service that is deemed most compatible with your level of training.
Pediatric Orthopaedics
The first year rotation at the IWK gives first year residents a solid foundation in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and helps you learn the fundamentals of good casting techniques.
Research
The core lecture series is a mandatory component of your first year and is carried out during the summer months. Each resident is asked to meet with the resident research committee prior to the commencement of this rotation. Preparation of a presentation for Resident Research Day is strongly encouraged.
Neurosurgery
The neurosurgery rotation takes place at both the Halifax Infirmary and the IWK Health Centre. Residents gain exposure to the management of cervical fractures, elective spinal conditions, and head injuries.
Emergency
The Emergency Department at the QEII Health Sciences Centre is a busy tertiary care emergency room in which wide exposure to all aspects of medicine can be gained.
Anesthesia
Usually done at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the Anesthesia rotation gives exposure to techniques of general anesthesia as well as regional anesthesia and resuscitation techniques.
Rheumatology
This is an ambulatory rotation where you are exposed to a wide array of arthritic conditions.
Geriatrics
On the geriatric service, orthopaedic residents perform inpatient consultations for delirium and postoperative rehabilitation in elderly patients. You will also follow patients on the inpatient service and will see many patients in the geriatric assessment unit.
Pediatric Orthopaedics
The first year rotation at the IWK gives you a solid foundation in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and helps you learn the fundamentals of good casting techniques.
PGY2
Rotations during your second year of training include:
Vascular Surgery
The vascular service at Dalhousie is a busy tertiary care service with three staff surgeons. You will attend clinics and surgery in the daytime, experience great experiences in assessing, treating, and operating on patients with a variety of vascular lesions. Night-time call will be another great learning experience.
Research
During this block, our residents are expected to meet with a supervisor in advance of the rotation and provide the supervisor with weekly updates on progress. This is the last research block and your project should be ready for presentation at research day and nearing final preparation for submission to journal.
Surgical Intensive Care
The 13-bed Intensive Care Unit at the QEII Health Sciences Centre serves as the site for this rotation. You will become very familiar with the care of very sick patients and the resuscitation of critically ill patients.
Orthopaedics
On the orthopaedic rotation, you will be assigned to various services to further develop and enhance your orthopaedic training.