All Family Medicine PGY2 learners currently training in Canada, independent of residency location, are eligible to apply for any of our Enhanced Skills programs. The Enhanced Skills Program reviews applications from PGY2 residents who are registered in a Canadian Family Medicine Residency Program at the time of their application.

Residents must start their PGY3 year within 12 months of completing their PGY2 year.

Practicing physicians wishing to apply to the Enhanced Skills Program must do so through the Re-Entry Program offered by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; applications made directly to the university will not be accepted. Please view information about the Re-Entry Program on the Ministry of Health website. Different timelines apply to Re-Entry Applicants.

For International Medical Graduate (IMG) applicants, please review information related to eligibility and Return of Service (ROS) here.

Category 1: Applications must be made through CaRMS. Please see the CaRMS website for more information.

Category 2:

1. Save and fill out the Category 2 Enhanced Skills Application Form (PDF)
2. Submit your completed application, along with your CV and letter of intent to fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca
3. Ensure that the subject line of your application email follows this format: “Last name, First name – 20XX/20XX Application” (please indicate the academic year you are applying for).
4. Request that your Program/Site Director and two referees send their letters directly to us at fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca. If you have any questions, please contact fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca

Checklist:

• Updated curriculum vitae, including any advanced life support courses and electives
• Completed application form
• Letter of intent, including the following:
  • Your goals and objectives for the program
  • The ways you might be better enabled to contribute to the community, the Department of Family Medicine, or the discipline of Family Medicine in general
  • For applicants to Research & Scholarship only: Please describe your experience with research/scholarship thus far, an area of inquiry that interests you, and how developed your scholarly project idea is at this point.
• Letter of Support from your Program Director, which speaks to your academic performance and professionalism*
• Two letters of reference from supervisor(s)*

*Please have reference letters sent directly to the following via mail or email (email preferred):

Email: fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca

OR

Department of Family Medicine
c/o Connie Shen – Enhanced Skills Application
David Braley Health Sciences Centre
100 Main Street West, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6

GENERAL

What is the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 – Self-Designed programs?
Category 1 programs lead to a Certificate of Added Competence, as recognized by the CFPC.

Do I need to have an elective in the field I wish to apply for?
Electives are not required but are strongly encouraged, where possible, to gain exposure and test your interests in a certain area of focus.

If I want to practice in a rural setting afterwards, which programs will support that goal?
Our Self-Designed programs are designed to provide a resident with the skills and experience to support a rural/regional practice. Discussions with your Program Director will help determine which experience will best suit your interests and the needs of the community in which you hope to practice.

For more information, please see our programs page or contact fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca

ELIGIBILITY

I am a practicing physician outside of Canada. Can I apply?
The Ministry of Health and Long Term care will only provide funding for residents and physicians who are either practicing in Canada or completing their residency in Canada. Please apply through Ontario Ministry of Health re-entry program MOHLTC Site.

I am currently enrolled as a PGY3 in an Enhanced Skills program. Am I eligible to apply to another Enhanced Skills program?
No. Residents enrolled in a PGY3 Enhanced Skills program at the time of application are not eligible to apply to another PGY3 Enhanced Skills position.

Are Public Health and Preventative Medicine trainees in their Family Medicine residency eligible to apply?
No. At this time, McMaster PGME—and, collectively, the PGME offices across Ontario—are unable to offer eligibility to Public Health and Preventive Medicine–Family Medicine residents. This is due to province‑wide funding constraints related to PGY level requirements.

APPLICATION PROCESS

How may I submit my application?

• Category 1 programs (Addiction Medicine, Care of the Elderly, Emergency Medicine, FPAnesthesia, Palliative Care, and Sport & Exercise Medicine):
  Applications must be submitted through CaRMS.
• Category 2 programs:
  Application requirements and submission instructions can be found on this webpage by clicking the “How to apply” box.

I am applying to more than one program. Am I required to submit an application to each program?
Yes. A complete application must be submitted for each program. Each program has a separate review committee.  Your letter of intent must be tailored to the specific program you are applying to.

Note:
If you apply to both a Category 1 and a Category 2 program:

• You can only match to one Category 1 program through CaRMS.
• If you match to a Category 1 program, it is binding, and you must decline or relinquish any Category 2 offers.
• If you accept a Category 2 offer before the CaRMS rank order list deadline, you must withdraw from the CaRMS match.
• Between the rank order list deadline and Match Day, you cannot accept any Category 2 offers.
• Circumventing this process may result in a match violation and potential disciplinary action.

Can the Program Director reference letter come from the Program Site Director?
Yes, a reference from the Program Site Director is acceptable if the Program Director is unavailable.

Do my reference letters need to be submitted directly by my referees? How should they be submitted?
Yes. Reference letters must be sent directly by the referee.

Please ask your referees to address their letters to the Enhanced Skills Program Director, with your surname and “Letter of Support” or “Reference Letter,” as appropriate, in the subject line.

They should be submitted via email (preferred) or mail to:
fmpgy3@mcmaster.ca
or
Department of Family Medicine
c/o Connie Shen – Enhanced Skills Application
David Braley Health Sciences Centre
100 Main Street West, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 1H6

Can I apply after the deadline?
No. Applications are only accepted within the deadlines listed on our website.

What happens after I apply?
You will receive:

• Confirmation that your application has been received.
• Following the application deadline, your application be reviewed, and you will receive an email indicating whether you are being invited for an interview.

INTERVIEWS & OFFERS

What can I expect if I am offered an interview?
Interviews are currently conducted virtually.

Interview format:

• Duration: 40-120 minutes
• Format: Panel interview
• Panelists: Faculty reviewers from the program.

What if I am told I am on the wait list?
If a position becomes available, you will be contacted by email.

What if I decline an offer?
If you decline an offer, it will be extended to the next applicant on the wait list.