Neuropathology

Neuropathology Residency Training Program overview

Program length: Five years
Session dates: July 1 – June 30
Program structure: Series of mandatory and elective rotations as well as weekly didactic sessions
Evaluation methods: Direct observation, EPAs, written, slide, and oral exams, resident portfolio

Why you should train in Neuropathology with us

  • Large volume and wide spectrum of clinical material
  • There are opportunities for interprovincial and international electives while training in our program
  • There are no mandatory rural rotations
  • The ratio of resident to faculty is 1 to 7
  • Residents have access to electronic medical resources through the hospitals and the University of Toronto library system
  • Research is especially emphasized during training. Residents may undertake research projects while on core, mandatory or elective rotations or opt for dedicated research electives of 3 to 12 months duration. Residents are expected to give presentations of their projects at the annual Departmental Research Day

Program structure

This residency program is for 5 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

This residency program is for 5 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

In July 2022, our Program will implement Competency Based Education and follows the Royal College Competency By Design framework.

Transition to Discipline Stage:

This is a 2 block training period which includes core skills and competencies needed for early residency success.  These include an orientation to Neuropathology and an introduction to laboratory services. Residents will become familiar with the autopsy suite, gross room, intraoperative consultation suite, specimen accessioning, and histology lab. Residents will have access to work stations with microscope, camera, and access to LIS. Residents will participate in multiheaded microscope teaching sessions and will learn laboratory safety policies. Observation and select participation in grossing, intraoperative consultation, specimen preparation, tissue processing and slide preparation will be expected.

Foundations Stage:

This training period spans 24 blocks of residency.  Residents experience clinical rotations designed to support educational opportunities including neurology, neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, neuroradiology, and internal medicine. This is followed by relevant rotations within anatomical pathology, including autopsy, cytopathology, and surgical pathology.

Core Training Stage:

This training period is expected to span 33 blocks of training. This stage covers the core competencies that make up the majority of Neuropathology training. Core areas will include teaching in neuroanatomy, surgical neuropathology, muscle and nerve pathology, autopsy and forensic neuropathology, pediatric and perinatal neuropathology, and ancillary testing including immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and molecular pathology. Experience in digital pathology and telepathology is available.

Transition to Practice stage:

During this time (6 blocks), the senior trainee will obtain training experiences designed to support readiness for independent practice.

Research

Research is emphasised during training and may be based on clinical material or an experimental project may be undertaken. Areas of research interest in the division include neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumours, artificial intelligence, and pediatric neuropathology at both the morphological and molecular level. Some trainees choose to pursue graduate degrees (MSc or PhD) during or after their residency training. 

How to apply

Application 

Apply through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) if you have Canadian Citizenship or Permament Residency. 

The CaRMs website contains information on eligibility.

Selection criteria 

We select trainees based upon your: 

  • academic performance
  • letters of reference
  • impression at interview.

It is not mandatory, but encouraged that you have completed at least one elective in our specialty. 

Given the large number of applicants each year, we are not able to offer an interview to all candidates. We offer personal interviews to candidates based on the criteria listed above and they are mandatory for admission to the program. 

International Medical Graduates accepted into the program will have access to the same opportunities, training and experience as Canadian Medical Graduates. 

Sponsored Residencies 

The University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine also has sponsorship agreements with various governments regarding training at the University.

If you are an applicant from one these countries, you must have the approval of the sponsor involved. Your sponsor must contact the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Office (PGME) directly with approval before formally applying to a training program.  

More details on applying for residency training Post MD Education (see under International Residency Applications)

Contact us

lmp.pg@utoronto.ca  

Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology 
Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto 
1 King's College Circle, Rm 6231,
Toronto ON, M5S 1A8 

Fax: 416-978-7361