Program Overview

Introduction to the Orthopaedic Residency Program

The Orthopaedic Residency Program at the University of British Columbia is one of the leading orthopaedic training programs in Canada. Drawing upon our commitment to education, multidisciplinary approach, and collaborative culture, our program offers residents an unmatched variety of exposure to develop their clinical skills. Our 5-year program is fully accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Program Overview

The training program consists of ~25 residents, over 40 faculty, 9 university-affiliated hospitals, more than 300 beds available for educational purposes, as well as a variety of multidisciplinary conferences and clinics. Each of the hospital sites within the training program has specific area(s) of clinical expertise and research focus. Each orthopaedic surgery subspecialty is taught during a clinical rotation at a hospital site specific to that subspecialty. Resident rotations are based on the educational requirement of each resident, and not on the service requirements of the hospitals.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide residents with a comprehensive education in orthopaedic surgery. The program includes:

• PGY 1: Orthopaedic trauma surgery, general surgery trauma service, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, perioperative medicine, surgical foundations “CRASH” course, and orthopaedic surgery “Bootcamp” course.
• PGY 2: ICU, orthopaedic trauma, pediatric orthopaedic surgery, spine surgery, and community orthopaedic surgery.
• PGY 3: Hip and knee reconstruction, spine surgery, arthroscopic surgery and upper extremity surgery, foot and ankle surgery, and hand and upper extremity surgery.
• PGY 4: Adult MSK oncology, orthopaedic trauma, general and community orthopaedic surgery, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, and elective (may be taken locally, in a rural location, or at an international center).
• PGY 5: Orthopaedic trauma, hip and knee reconstruction, pediatric orthopaedic surgery, arthroscopic surgery and upper extremity surgery, knowledge consolidation, review, and elective.

Training Sites

The program includes training at the following sites:

• British Columbia Children’s Hospital: Pediatric orthopaedic surgery rotations.
• Burnaby Hospital: Community orthopaedic practice rotation.
• Eagle Ridge Hospital: Hand surgery rotations.
• Royal Columbian Hospital: Orthopaedic trauma.
• St. Paul’s Hospital: Foot and ankle surgery rotations, hand and upper extremity surgery rotations.
• UBC Hospital: Arthroscopic surgery and athletic injuries.
• University Hospital of Northern BC: Community orthopaedic practice rotation.
• Vancouver General Hospital: Hip and knee reconstruction, orthopaedic trauma, spine surgery, most surgical foundations rotations (trauma service, plastics, vascular, perioperative medicine, ICU).

Research Education

Participating in orthopaedic research is a key component of successful modern orthopaedic practice. The program provides:

• A Director of resident research, who oversees each resident’s progress toward completion of their research.
• A strong ongoing clinical research program within all Divisions of the UBC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, which provides a broad range of available avenues for resident research.
• Residents may apply during their training for dedicated time to perform basic science or clinical research.
• Residents are required to present a research project at the annual UBC Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day in at least four of their five years in the program.

Career Opportunities

Residents graduating from our program have diverse career paths, ranging from direct entry into community practice to advanced clinical fellowships and PhD training. The reputation of the training program and the orthopaedic faculty provide our residents with a great deal of opportunity outside Canada for fellowship training or career development.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where do most residents live during their residency?: Most residents live in neighborhoods close to Vancouver General Hospital.
• How do residents usually travel to different hospital sites?: Residents may commute by bicycle, car, or public transit, depending on the location.
• What are graduates doing after completing their residency training?: Graduates have gone on to successful academic careers, community practice, and fellowship training.
• What is the content of the program’s formal academic curriculum?: The curriculum includes a variety of teaching sessions, skills labs, and research opportunities.
• What advanced training opportunities are provided by the UBC Department of Orthopaedics?: The department provides fellowship training experiences in various subspecialties.
• What support is available for women in orthopaedic surgery?: The program values diversity and inclusion, with 40% of residents being women, and provides role modeling, mentorship, and advocacy.
• Does the program have non-Canadian trainees?: Yes, the program selects non-Canadian trainees from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia each year.
• Is there an organized mentorship program for residents?: Yes, residents are encouraged to match with a PGY4 or PGY5 resident or faculty member for mentorship.