Diagnostic Radiology Residents

University of Calgary

PGY 2-5

PGY 2-5

The remaining four years of residency (PGY-2 to 5) take place primarily at the Foothills Medical Centre. Having one hospital as a central hub for training affords us a number of benefits.
Early on, strong connections are formed between residents as we attend daily in-person noon teaching sessions lead by either staff radiologists, fellows, or co-residents.
Our academic schedule includes weekly academic half-days (Thursday afternoons) and once a month rounds related to Maternal Fetal Medicine, Physics and radiation safety.
Additional didactic learning opportunities are offered in the form of a one month review course in PGY-4 (AIRP) and a one week review course in PGY-5 (most commonly the Ottawa Royal College Review Course).

Funding support is available for these courses.

The program encompasses all areas of Diagnostic Radiology. Specifically, the residency is designed as 4-week blocks through PGY-2 to PGY-5 with rotations spanning 1-4 blocks. There are a minimum of six blocks of Ultrasound, three blocks of Nuclear Medicine, six blocks of MRI (Neuro/Body/Cardiac), and four blocks of Pediatric Radiology. Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology, Mammography, Cardiothoracic, Abdominal/Genitourinary, Musculoskeletal, and optional research blocks are part of the core program.

PGY-2

Neuro CT
Body CT
Chest I (emphasis on plain films)
Emergency Radiology I
Ultrasound I (emphasis on scanning)
GI/GU/Fluoroscopy

Emergency Radiology II
Chest II (emphasis on CT)
Ultrasound II (emphasis on image interpretation)
Mammography
Maternal Fetal Medicine (emphasis on scanning)
Neuro MRI
MSK

Highlights

This year is geared to preparing residents for independent call. After completing core rotations in Body CT, Neuro CT and Emergency Radiology in the first six months, residents begin a graduated supervised transition into call in November.

PGY-3

Interventional Radiology (3 consecutive blocks)
Cardiac CT/MRI
MSK
Mammography
Body CT
Genitourinary CT (Rockyview General Hospital)
Elective
Nuclear Medicine (2 consecutive blocks)
Neuro CT
Pediatric Radiology (2 consecutive blocks)

Highlights

Although this year carries with it the heaviest call demand, it is a defining year in which greater responsibility brings with it more opportunities for collaboration, teaching and leadership roles. PGY-3 residents will have developed the competency to start full overnight call and perform a variety of common image-guided procedures independently. Pediatric Radiology exposure begins with two consecutive blocks at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

PGY-4

MSK
Neuro MRI
Mammography
Body CT
Chest
Body MRI
Elective
GI/GU/Fluoroscopy
Pediatric

Radiology (2 consecutive blocks)
Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine
AIRP Course

Highlights

The PGY-4 year includes a one month review course through the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology (AIRP) in Washington, DC (course tuition is funded by the department with additional partial funding available to assist with other expenses). Further exposure to Pediatric Radiology with another 2 consecutive blocks at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

PGY-5

Neuro MRI
Ultrasound (2 blocks over the year)
Senior Resident’s Clinic (near independent practice in a community clinic setting)
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Body MRI
Mammography
Nuclear Medicine
Chest
Elective
Plain film (2 consecutive blocks at the end of the year during Royal College preparation)

Highlights

The final year of residency focuses on preparing senior residents for the Royal College examination and builds on the skills acquired throughout residency to ease the transition into practice.