Academic Pediatrics Fellowship

Overview

The Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at the University of Alberta and Stollery Children's Hospital, is offering a fellowship in Academic Pediatrics. This program, similar to other Academic Pediatrics programs in Canada, is not accredited by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

The goal of the fellowship is to train pediatricians with expertise in the area of academic pediatric medicine; this involves developing expertise in various domains including health leadership and administration, educational, and research & scholarship domains of academic medicine, including quality improvement work, in addition to excellence in clinical care in the area of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, with a goal of working in an academic pediatric center.

The program is structured over one to two years, and may be tailored to suit the needs and interests of the trainee. Fellows will participate in clinical rotations, but will have time devoted to pursuing educational, research and quality improvement initiatives. Structured educational seminars will enhance the learning experience of the fellows. There is also the opportunity in a two-year program to complete university level course work, which may include a Master degree in Public Health, Clinical Epidemiology, Medical Education, or other comparable field applicable to academic pediatric medicine.

The fellow will develop clinical expertise at the consultant level, in a tertiary- or quaternary-care academic pediatric environment, including pediatric hospital medicine, care of pediatric patients with complex medical needs, and the care of vulnerable populations. The fellow will develop knowledge, skills and attitudes required to practice in collaborative models of care in a hospital-based practice.

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The fellow will develop their skills as a medical educator in the areas of direct teaching, both clinical and non-clinical, as well as assessment; these skills are essential for the academic pediatrician. Fellows may also become involved in curriculum development at the undergraduate, postgraduate or faculty development levels. Opportunities for scholarly training in medical education may include participation in longitudinal medical education courses at the university level such as the Teaching Scholars Program. Fellows may choose to pursue advanced course work such as a Diploma Course or Masters in Medical Education.

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The fellow will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to undertake scholarly pursuits and development of products of scholarship, as required for an academic career. Fellows will have the opportunity to develop expertise in the areas of medical education, clinical research, quality improvement and patient safety, and/or administration and health leadership, based on individual interests and needs.

The fellow will develop fundamental skills in administrative and leadership roles that form an integral role for the hospital-based academic pediatrician. Administration and quality improvement experiences through participation in hospital committees and working groups will be encouraged. Further quality improvement and patient safety training opportunities for interested fellows will be available through accredited online modules leading to certificates in quality and safety. As noted above, Health Administration and Quality Improvement may form the basis of the required scholarly project.