Clinical Curriculum

Our two year training program is based on the 2013 Royal College requirements, including 13 PEM blocks at the Alberta Children's Hospital. Other rotations conducted are described below.

Curriculum Rotations | All trainees

Although the two curriculum is designed for fellows based on the Royal College requirements, each rotation has been structured to optimize the unique learning objectives of pediatric emergency medicine trainees.

Toxicology (0.5 - 1 block)

The Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS) is based in Calgary. This service provides medical toxicological advice to physicians in three provinces. Opportunities are available to complete this rotation out of town if desired, at sites including the Bellevue Hospital in New York City.

Pediatric ICU (1 block)

A busy department with approximately 1000 admissions per year (60% medical, 40% surgical). Trainees get an opportunity to learn from experts in managing critically ill/injured patients with exposure to procedures and consults in the ED. Once PICU and anesthesia are successfully completed, fellows are approved for the ACH Transport Team, serving southern Alberta and parts of BC.

Pediatric Anesthesia (1 block)

Gain experience with endotracheal intubation, IV access, bag mask ventilation, LMA insertion, procedural sedation and pain management. Option to also learn about regional anesthesia.

Pediatric Orthopedics (1 block)

Focus on casting and fracture reductions, as well as follow-up; exposure provided through orthopedic clinics as well as call for ED consults; excellent teaching opportunities with orthopedic technicians as well

Diagnostic Imaging (0.5 block)

Provides an opportunity for one-on-one teaching with our pediatric radiologists with a focus on reviewing daily x-rays and CTs ordered in the emergency department and developing approaches to commonly ordered imaging tests. Newly optimized to include dedicated time and teaching on POCUS skills with aim to be POCUS proficient by the end of training. Home to the novel POCUS modular system created by experts in our very own department: KidSono

EMS (Prehospital + disaster medicine) (0.5 block)

One 2-week block, often done longitudinally – provides excellent exposure to prehospital transport (ground and rotor wing transport) by participating in the ACH Transport Team, EMS ground ride-alongs, STARS (rotary wing air ambulance) ride-alongs, and on-shift phone consults with external sites consulting the ACH ED. Supplementary training in disaster medicine through academic programming as well as online learning also provided.

Pediatric Plastics (0.5 - 1 block)

Exposure through general plastics and hand clinics, home call, and opportunities to go to the OR.

Research (2 blocks)

Able to provide outstanding research support for our fellows with a 4-week intensive research training course, access to biostatisticians, epidemiologists, etc. Our division has a very active research group to mentor fellows along in their scholarly endeavours.

Administration (0.5 block)

Two week rotation performed longitudinally - includes various activities such as chief fellow role (4-6 months), PEM relevant committee involvement, and academic rounds and teaching.

Selective/Elective options

Three blocks are allotted to selectives and electives, of which options include but are not limited to: child abuse, adolescent medicine, psychiatry, pediatric gynecology, pediatric surgery, pediatric neurosurgery, sports medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology, international electives, simulation based education, sports medicine, outpatient clinics, ultrasound, and research

Trainees with a Pediatrics Background

Adult Trauma (1 block) – Adult trauma service at the Foothills Hospital. This rotation allows the fellows under the supervision of trauma surgeons to manage trauma in the ED, continue to the operating room as required and manage the patient during their entire hospital stay.
Adult Emergency Medicine (1 block) – Completed primarily at the Foothills Emergency Department, a high volume, Level 1 trauma centre with an annual census of approximately 80,000. Effort is made to pair trainees with preceptors who work at the ACH ED who best understand the fellow's learning objectives.

Trainees with an Emergency Medicine Background

NICU (1 block) – A novel rotation structure entails the first 2 weeks being spent at the Rockyview General Hospital Level 2 nursery for an introductory to general NICU medicine. The second 2 weeks will be spent at the ACH NICU which specializes in the care of neonates requireing subspecialty/surgical evaluation or neurocritical care.
Pediatric Ambulatory Clinics (1 block) – The Alberta Children’s Hospital has a full range of subspecialty pediatrics outpatient clinics. Ambulatory rotations are constructed by the fellow and program director and are tailored to meet the specific needs of each fellow.