The UBC Department of Ophthalmology held their Virtual Fair on November 12th, 2020. It was hosted by the program director, Dr. Claire Sheldon, and the PGY-2 cohort. Additionally, a number of senior residents were also available to answer questions as well. There was a prepared presentation that gave an overview of the program and ample time for questions.
Here are some takeaways from the event:
- Large referral base and high surgical volumes. The department acts as the sole referral centre for complex cases from all of BC and the Yukon (> 6 million people)
- Larger program with 3 resident per cohort so you have colleagues who are going through the same experiences as you
- Lots of scheduled weekly time for didactic teaching and protected research time
- Recent changes to the program have made the PGY-2 call burden and weekend clinics much better
- 24/7 access to a staffed wet lab with prepared tissue samples
- Lots of opportunities for teaching - residents have been heavily involved in teaching medical students and CME for primary care or emergency medicine physicians
- Interesting question for those who are left-handed: there are multiple left handed staff and left handed residents have felt well supported and still feel like they get good teaching
- The program’s annual retreat to Osoyoos was just one of many examples of events that the resident group does together.
You can follow them at their recently created Instagram page @ubc.ophthalmology!
Authors: Cody Lo
Cody Lo is a 4th year medical student at UBC and is the Director of External Affairs for the Canadian Ophthalmology Student Interest Group.
