Observerships have no University of Toronto status. Medical practitioners who wish to arrange an observership do so by contacting the hospital where they wish to have observer status. The information below pertains to the observership policy of nine major hospitals in the city of Toronto.
Hospital for Sick Children
At the Hospital for Sick Children (www.sickkids.ca), persons interested must apply directly to the departmental office of the specialty in which they wish to have observer status. The Department offers observerships for a maximum of a two (2) week period throughout the year. Observership applications will be accepted up to two months prior to an agreed-upon start date. Observers will not participate in any direct patient contact and therefore do not require an Independent or Educational license from the CPSO.
Observerships are not a requirement to be considered a successful candidate for our Fellowship programs. Preference is granted to those who have already completed their surgical training and have specific goals related to their practice or developing new clinical/research areas of expertise.
Specific Observerships are now being accepted on a case-by-case basis if there’s a potential for the exchange of ideas (it’s not purely one-sided) or if there’s a potential for collaboration. There must be a reciprocal arrangement made with a Plastic Surgery Division member in support of your observership. To apply to complete at observership, please email Michael Perrino at michael.perrino@sickkids.ca with the following:
- Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae
- Potential dates/ Availability
- Why do you wish to visit The Hospital for Sick Children?
- What are your learning objectives?
Following acceptance, you will be instructed to complete additional documentation to be processed by the Medical Affairs Office at Sick Kids 1-2 months before your start date.
A non-refundable observer application fee of $175 is applicable to observers (> 2 days). An invoice will be sent to you once your paperwork has been cleared by Medical Affairs.
If you have any questions, please email Michael Perrino, michael.perrino@sickkids.ca
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Persons interested in an observership at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre must apply directly to the departmental office of the specialty in which they wish to have observer status. The Credentials Office issues observer credentials at the request of Sunnybrook’s departmental offices.
More information: http://sunnybrook.ca/education/content/?page=education-observers
St. Michael’s Hospital
At St. Michael’s Hospital (www.stmichaelshospital.com), prospective observers must arrange their observership through a staff physician at the hospital, who will notify the hospital’s Medical Education Office.
More information:
http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/education/fitzgerald-academy/frequently-asked-questions.php
St. Joseph’s Health Centre
If you are seeking a learning, observational and/or service opportunity that is not part of a prescribed curriculum and/or a student placement initiated by an affiliated academic site you must submit an observership application and receive approval to proceed. Please contact the Student Placement Liaison regarding the observership onboarding requirements and application form.
For information on medical education please contact the Department of Medical Education & Scholarship at 416-530-6000 ext. 4269.
Medical Education Coordinator
Tel.: (416) 530-6000 ext. 4597
Fax: (416) 530 6577
Email: unelle@stjoe.on.ca
Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto East Health Network
Please contact Joanne Mount via email, J.Mount@utoronto.ca
Trillium Health Centre
At Trillium Health Centre (www.trilliumhealthcentre.org) prospective observers must arrange their observership through a staff physician at the hospital, who will notify the hospital’s Medical Education Office.
Yvonne McVeigh, Scheduling Coordinator & Student Liaison
Surgery, Anaesthesia, Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology
Medical Education Office
Trillium Health Partners
Tel.: (905) 848-7580 ext. 1750
Fax: (905) 804-7960
Email: Yvonne.McVeigh@trilliumhealthpartners.ca
Website: http://trilliumhealthpartners.ca
University Health Network
At the University Health Network (www.uhn.ca/index.asp), those who wish to arrange observerships must do so through the appropriate departmental office. The departmental office will inform the University Health Network Medical Affairs Office. The UHN Medical Education Office is not involved with the credentialing of observers.
Adele Pimentel
Observership Coordinator – UHN Education
observerships@uhn.ca
The Toronto General Hospital
200 Elizabeth Street – 6NU-600B
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4
Tel.: (416) 340-4800 ext. 2665
More information: http://www.uhn.ca/healthcareprofessionals/Observerships/Pages/default.aspx
Women’s College Hospital
At the new Women’s College Hospital (https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca), prospective observers must arrange their observership through a staff physician at the hospital, who will notify the hospital’s Medical Education Office.
Centre for Ambulatory Care Education
76 Grenville Street,
Floor 2, Room 2442
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2
Adminstration
Jim Szabo, Administrative Assistant
Phone: 416-323-6400 ext.3019
Fax: 416-323-6361
Email: jim.szabo@wchospital.ca
Leadership
Robert Paul, Director
Email: robert.paul@wchospital.ca
https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/research,-education-and-innovation/cace
College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario Policy
on Shadowing and Observerships
Please note that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the self-regulating body for the province’s medical profession, has a stated policy to provide guidance about the appropriate manner in which internationally trained medical graduates (IMGs) can observe patient care in clinical settings (this type of observation is referred to as ‘shadowing’).
Please see the CPSO website for further information:
https://www.cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/International-Medical-Graduates
