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Resources

General resources

All the resources you need to explore orthopaedic surgery in Canada in one spot.

External resources

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CaRMS
Canadian Residency Matching Service. Discover the different orthopaedic surgery program profiles from Canadian universities.
https://www.carms.ca/
Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA)
The COA serves as the national voice for orthopaedics when speaking with government and media about issues affecting the profession.
https://coa-aco.org/
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada is a regulatory college which acts as a national organization to oversee the medical education of specialists in Canada.
https://www.royalcollege.ca/
Orthobullets
Discover high-yield topics in orthopaedic surgery and quiz yourself using their question bank.
https://www.orthobullets.com/
Canadian Orthopaedic Surgery Medical Education Course
COSMEC, a virtual course by the University of Toronto's Division of Orthopaedic Surgery.
https://uoftorthopaedics.ca/cosmec/
Orthopaedic Video Theater
The Orthopaedic Video Theater (OVT) provides AAOS members trusted, relevant surgical videos from globally renowned experts across the orthopaedic landscape.
https://www.aaos.org/education/orthopaedic-video-theater/

Student-created resources

OrthoTalk
A free weekly digest that reads, critically appraises and ranks the week's orthopaedic research, with discussion questions for rounds and journal club.
https://www.orthotalk.ca/
Fracturium
A free interactive 3D fracture atlas built by medical students. Click a bone to explore its fractures and their classifications.
https://www.fracturium.com/atlas
ScopED
A surgical education platform built by medical students for medical students, with step-by-step procedure guides and quizzes, including orthopaedic procedures.
https://scopedmed.ca

FAQs

In Canada, orthopaedic surgery is a 5-year long residency program. Some programs offer the possibility to pursue other degrees (e.g., MSc, PhD, MBA, MPH, etc.) which may require additional years. For a complete description of each program, visit the CaRMS website.

CaRMS program descriptions

There are several ways to get to know the orthopaedic surgery residency programs in Canada:

  • COSSNET's Annual Pre-CaRMS Roundtable Series
  • Most programs host an open house event. Be on the lookout on social media!
  • CaRMS website
  • Individual program webpages
  • Pursuing an elective rotation during clerkship
  • Prepare Thoroughly: Review key orthopedic concepts and procedures before starting your rotation. Familiarize yourself with history-taking, physical examination, common surgeries, anatomy, and relevant literature.
  • Engage Actively: Demonstrate enthusiasm and engage with the team. Ask questions, and participate in discussions at the appropriate times.
  • Be Proactive: Take initiative to assist with tasks, demonstrate technical skills, and learn from experienced professionals. Show a willingness to contribute to the team's efficiency, while recognizing your role as a trainee.
  • Develop Effective Communication: Communicate clearly and professionally with the team and patients.
  • Stay Informed: Stay updated on current research, advancements, and emerging trends in orthopedics. This demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and staying at the forefront of the field.
  • Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your mentors and colleagues to identify areas for improvement. Use constructive criticism to refine your skills and enhance your performance.

High yield topics (BoneBreak)

Yes, that is the AO Foundation Surgery Reference. This is a handy on-the-go resource for management principles and surgical approaches. Some other useful resources to help you prepare for your orthopaedic surgery elective include:

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