Residency Curriculum

McMaster Neurosurgery is now 'competency based' in coordination with all other Canadian neurosurgery residency programs. Details are available through the Royal College website. What this breaks down to is making sure every candidate has the full breadth of neurosurgical exposures and skills to practice independently after residency. Significant flexibility exists to pursue professional interests in rotation plans, and all residents meet twice yearly with the program director to discuss their progress, education, and goals.

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Our rotations focus on early neurosurgery clinical and operative skill development in a supportive academic environment. Our workload is typically high, with significant demands on trainees. McMaster encourages an environment rapid mastery of general and subspecialty care for the benefit of our patients. 

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All PGY1 and PGY2 surgical residents participate in Surgical Foundations. Documentation on specific requirements is available through the Royal College Website. This comprehensive two year introduction to principles of surgery takes place with a weekly half-day program focused on both surgical research methodology and clinical knowledge development. Practical anatomy lab based technical skills sessions are run by the neurosurgery attendings for PGY1 and PGY2 residents. 

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Weekly academic half-days contain case rounds, Neurosciences Grand Rounds, and a rotating faculty-led subspecialty education curriculum which repeats every 2-3 years. Additional educational opportunities occur in the form of journal club, cerebrovascular teaching rounds, spine teaching rounds, morbidity & mortality conference, stroke teaching rounds, junior resident teaching rounds, senior resident teaching rounds, and local conferences and retreats. There are limitless educational opportunities to develop neurosurgical acumen. 

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Residents are encouraged to participate in multiple courses such as in-house cadaver surgery programs for skull base and MIS spine, the Ottawa Review Course, the Lougheed Course, international conferences, and the Research Update in Neurosciences for Neurosurgeons. We want you to pursue education and training from both our institution and others, to become the best neurosurgeon you can. Our residents are expected to maintain clinical, academic, and operative excellence throughout their training. Details are found here.

Residents wishing to pursue graduate degrees and advanced research studies may consider applying for the competitive Clinician Investigator Program. This is also a Royal College certification program. CIP focuses on both enabling research through networking and funding as well as development of academic competencies specific to clinician scientists. The Division of Neurosurgery additionally allows for a full year of residency-enfolded dedicated research time for trainees wishing to pursue further academic development.

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Medical Student Electives

McMaster Neurosurgery welcomes elective medical students from both McMaster University and institutions across Canada. International electives are also available for select candidates.

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Electives can be conducted in either adult neurosurgery or pediatric neurosurgery. Expect to participate with the full team daily in a learning-dense, supportive environment. Experience neurosurgical case complexity, clinics, operating theatres, acute care, emergencies, longitudinal patient management, and our educational curriculum. For further details, see the 2022 info night with CaMSIGN where our program director, Dr. Yarascavitch, shared information about our program.​

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The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is the national not-for-profit entity managing all residency matching positions for Canadian applicants. Details for upcoming positions across Canada can be found on their website. McMaster University typically accepts one funded International Medical Graduate per year through a competitive process. Please contact our residency program coordinator for both electives and if you wish to apply for an IMG position.