Program Overview

Program Overview

The Family Medicine-Enhanced Skills (FM-ES): Addiction Medicine residency program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is a one-year program that enables family physicians to provide high-quality, evidence-based care for patients living with substance use disorders. The program is accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Program Format

• The program is full-time and lasts for one year.
• The program director is Dr. Sheema Sharieff.
• Upon completion, residents will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Added Competence in Addiction Medicine.

Curriculum

The comprehensive, competency-based Foundational Curriculum covers diverse areas, including:

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion in medical care
• Research strategies
• Communication skills
• Patient safety
• A unique Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Research, and Non-Clinical (LEARN) Time program offers individualized time, space, and resources for residents to focus on areas of specialized interest.

Requirements

Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and meet the basic and Ontario-specific criteria to apply.

Training Sites

The TMU School of Medicine has clinical partnerships with multiple major training sites, including:

• William Osler Health System
• Trillium Health Partners
• Headwaters Health Care Centre
• Halton Healthcare
• Peel Region
• ErinoakKids
• Michael Garron Hospital Residency training will leverage a distributed model, which may include training at any of these sites for learning in environments such as community and clinical settings, urban and rural environments, and inpatient and outpatient settings.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is September 9, 2025, at 12:00 (noon) ET.

How to Apply

Applications are only accepted through CaRMS. Three reference letters are required with the application:

• One from the current family medicine program director or site director
• One from a physician/preceptor
• One from an interdisciplinary staff/faculty member who has observed the applicant in a clinical capacity

Program Highlights

• Opportunities to perform inpatient assessments, manage patients with acute withdrawal and concurrent disorders, and transition patients to outpatient settings
• Electives available in rural areas and areas of interest, including hepatology/hepatitis C clinic, pregnancy and substance use disorders, and sexual health clinics
• Experience caring for patients with chronic pain
• Unique Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Research, and Non-Clinical (LEARN) Time program enables residents to tailor their learning experiences and launch their careers

Sample Rotation Schedule

The schedule includes blocks for:

• Inpatient consultations
• Medical detox
• Emergency department consultations
• RAAM/outpatient assessments
• Specialty clinics (e.g., Hepatitis C, Sexual Health Clinic, Residential Treatment facility)
• Chronic pain clinic - outpatient
• Rural community
• Electives

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), as of October 2024.

Travel Requirements

Travel to various locations will be required, and access to a personal vehicle will be beneficial. However, anyone with access to a reliable means of transportation is also encouraged to consider this program.