PHPM Program Overview

Transition to PHPM

Right from the start of the NOSM U PHPM Program, our specialty is the focus of your training. The first four blocks of both the PHPM and PHPM-FM stream are dedicated to orienting residents to the program, NOSM University, residency, and the specialty of PHPM, and include rotations in Public Health and Family Medicine.

Foundations of PHPM

At this stage of training, residents are introduced to the clinical and academic knowledge and skills that form the foundation of PHPM practice, such as the clinical management of communicable diseases or critical appraisal of research. This stage includes clinical rotations as well as a minimum of two semesters of graduate studies. Most residents choose to complete a Master of Public Health during their training. Residents with previous graduate training may be credited, resulting in additional elective time or a reduction in training time. The length and rotations included in the Foundations stage differ according to training stream.

Core PHPM training

This stage of training focuses on the six core functions of public health: health protection, health surveillance, disease and injury prevention, population health assessment, health promotion, and emergency preparedness and response. Residents in both the PHPM-FM and PHPM streams complete core rotations in:

• Communicable Disease Control
• Environmental Health
• Health Policy and Planning
• Health Promotion, Chronic Disease Prevention, and Injury Prevention

Transition to independent PHPM practice

In the final year of residency, NOSM U PHPM residents consolidate their skills in a Leadership and Management rotation, taking on a leadership role equivalent to an acting associate medical officer of health. This stage focuses on preparing residents for independent practice, with significant administrative and professional responsibilities.

PHPM-FM Sudbury Stream

At least 24 months of clinical rotations and academic training with the NOSM University Family Medicine Program, including family medicine, surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics, and pediatrics. See the NOSM University Family Medicine Program webpage for more details. PHPM-FM residents are required to complete their FM internal medicine selective in infectious disease.

In PGY3, after Family Medicine training:

• Microbiology
• Clinical public health

Up to 13 blocks of graduate studies

PHPM Sault Ste. Marie Stream

At least 12 months of clinical rotations

• Addictions medicine
• Clinical public health
• Emergency medicine
• Infectious disease
• Internal medicine
• Microbiology
• Perinatal and child health
• 2 blocks electives

Longitudinal training in PGY1:

• Monthly immunization clinics
• In partnership with the University of Alberta, PHPM residents complete Part A of the Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine

Up to 26 blocks of graduate studies

NOSM U PHPM residents participate in weekly academic half-days, regular academic full days, and biannual in-person learning events, guided by a comprehensive and innovative academic curriculum. The curriculum includes case-based learning, tabletop exercises, media training, and simulations. The NOSM U PHPM Indigenous and Francophone health curriculum has been recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as a leading educational practice.

A typical academic-half day comprises an informal facilitated discussion, case-based rounds, and a didactic teaching session. PHPM residents attend the whole PHPM academic half-day for their entire residency. PHPM-FM residents attend part of the PHPM academic half-day and the whole FM academic half-day while completing the Family Medicine Program, and then attend the whole PHPM academic half-day after their training with the Family Medicine Program is complete.

Residents engage in scholarly work throughout their five years of residency, supported by the PHPM program research tutor. All residents complete a scholarly project, such as original qualitative or quantitative research, comprehensive or systematic literature reviews, continuous quality improvement initiatives, or program evaluations with measurement. In addition to their graduate training, residents also have protected time for scholarly work through research electives. Residents in the PHPM-FM stream also complete a separate family medicine research project.

Our residents and faculty publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals.