Application Procedures

Internal Medicine Residents are required to complete three (3) months of CHIME rotations in their first three years of training. These are generally done in the second and their years of residency training. There may be exceptional circumstances in which a resident feels they should be exempted from some/all of this requirement. Some of these possible exemptions are listed here. Please contact your local Medical Teaching Office well ahead of time if you feel that you deserve special consideration. Further, residents identified by their local Medical Teaching Office as being unable to function in a french medical environment will be redirected to a CHIME rotation at St. Mary's hospital. Each resident in this circumstance will be assigned 1 month of St. Mary's as a PGY2 and 1 month as a PGY3 (with the third month of CHIME that would have been done being locally scheduled as CTU or ER consults or GIMCS or an equivalent rotation).

The sites are described below.

The procedure to plan these rotations generally requires some paperwork, depending on the site.

All requests for CHIME rotations must go through your local Medical Teaching Office. Residents are requested not to contact individual site supervisors directly.

Any resident scheduled to do their rotation in a NON-ACCREDITED site is required to complete the Collège des médecins form for their training card to be transfered to the CHIME site.

This form must be signed by your Site Director and submitted to the Postgraduate Medical Education Office 3 months prior to the start of your rotation.

Sites which are listed as ACCREDITED do not require such additional paperwork.

CHIME Sites

** Map of CHIME Sites **

1. HULL
 

Site:  CSSS de Gatineau – Centre hospitalier de Hull
          www.chvo.qc.ca

Address: 116 Blvd. Lionel-Émond, Hull, QC J8Y1W7

Telephone: (819) 966-6200 (hospital)
                 (819) 595-6104 (Denise Duquette – administrative assistant)
                 (819) 966-6306 (fax) 
  
Supervisor:   Dr. D. Tatu : dan.tatusympatico.ca

                    Dr. Kim Nguyen

                    Dr. Mark Engfield

Activities:   Peri-operative medicine: in and outpatient 
                    Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient 
                    Hemodialysis
                    Intensive care unit consultations
                    Exercise stress testing

Languages: French (English spoken by supervisors)

Housing provided: Yes (reimbursement will NOT be provided for residents who organize their own housing arrangements as of October, 2008)

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Serge Marleau at (819) 966-6171 ext. 251, Chef du bureau de coordination de l'enseignement médical (serge.marleaussss.gouv.qc.ca)  

Accredited Site: Yes (you do NOT have to apply to the Collège des médecins for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 2



2. GATINEAU

Site:  CSSS de Gatineau – Centre hospitalier de Gatineau
           www.chvo.qc.ca

Address: 909 Blvd. La Vérendrye West, Gatineau, QC J8P7H2

Telephone:  (819) 966-6100 (hospital)
                     (819) 779-2118 (pager)
                     (819) 966-6287 (fax)

Supervisors:    Dr. Ron Starra
                       Dr. Mario Dallaire
                       Dr. Leila Fares

                      
Activities:  Internal Medicine consultations: in and outpatient
                   Intensive Care Unit consultations
                   Oncology (Dallaire)
                   Brochoscopy (Dallaire, Starra)

     Please review this letter from the Internists at CSSS de Gatineau for more details.

Languages:  French (English spoken by supervisors)

Housing provided: Yes (reimbursement will NOT be provided for residents who organize their own housing arrangements as of October, 2008)

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Serge Marleau at (819) 966-6171 ext. 251, Chef du bureau de coordination de l'enseignement médical (serge.marleaussss.gouv.qc.ca)  

Accredited Site: Yes (you do NOT have to apply to the Collège des médecins for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 2



3. AMOS

Site:  CSSS Les Eskers de l'Abitibi - Centre hospitalier Hôtel Dieu D’Amos

Address:  622 4rth Street West, Amos, QC J9T2S2
Telephone:  (819) 732-3341(hospital)

Supervisors:  Dr. B. Govig : bertgovig.ca
                     Dr. Sepehr Javaheri : sepehrjavaheri.org   
                     Dr. Paule Warren                   

Activities:  Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient 
                   Pacemaker clinics
                   Intensive care unit consultations
                   Exercise stress testing
                   Bronchoscopy, intubations +/- central lines with anaesthesia
                   Exposures: Cardio-pulmonary rehab unit, palliative care home-care
                   Mock oral examinations

Languages: French (English spoken by supervisors)

Housing provided: Yes

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Joanne Bélanger at (819) 732-3341 ext. 2160

Accredited Site: Yes (you do NOT have to apply to the Collège des médecins for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 1



4. COWANSVILLE

Site:  CSSS La Pommeraie - Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital
           www.santemonteregie.qc.ca

Address: 958 rue Principale, Cowansville, QC J2K1K3

Telephone: (450) 266-4342 (hospital)
                    (450) 263-8669 (fax)

Supervisors:  Dr. Daniel Macek : daniel.b.macekgmail.com

                    Dr. Marcus Gottke

Activities:  Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient
                   Exercise stress testing
                   Diabetic clinic
                   Sleep apnea studies (home studies)
                   Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy

Schedule:

Monday: Hospital consults

Tuesday: External consultation clinic (excl. summer months)

Wednesday: Stress tests and Hospital consults

Thursday: Off

Friday: Stress tests and Hospital consults

**Hospital consults: ER/Observation, ICU, all hospital wards, acute medicine clinic

Languages: English & French

Housing provided: Yes

IMPORTANT HOUSING DETAILS:

Please contact Ms. Claude Benoît  by e-mail for arrangements and details about housing. You must do this at least 3 weeks before your arrival. Please be prepared with the following information: tell her that you will be doing internal medicine with Dan Macek, tell her your arrival and departure dates, and whether you will need a parking pass. Once you've arrived in Cowansville, please meet with her during the first week to fill out some paperwork. Please consult the RULES & REGULATIONS OF THE APARTMENT in Cowansville.

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Claude Benoît at (450) 266-5535

Accredited Site: Yes (you do NOT have to apply to the Collège des médecins for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 2



5. VALLEYFIELD 

Site:  CSSS du Suroît - Centre hospitalier régional du Suroît
           www.chsuroit.qc.ca

Address: 150, Saint-Thomas, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC J6T 6C1

Telephone: (450) 371-9920 (hospital)

Supervisors:     Dr. Daniel Baggio 
                       Dr. Élise Gilbert
                       Dr. Richard Kennedy 
                       Dr. Thuc Bao Lam
                       Dr. Pierre Plourde 
                       Dr. Majd Tahan
                       Dr. Paul Tran

Activities:  Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient
                   Exercise stress testing
                   ICU exposure
                   Pacemaker clinics (occasionally)
                   Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and bronchoscopy

Languages: French

Housing provided: Yes *

Addendum regarding housing: The DPS's office provides each resident with a listing of 2-3 names of people who take residents in their homes while they are rotating in Valleyfield. Residents can also organize their own lodging in the area with the help of Michèle Fortier (see below).

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Sylvie Cholette at (450) 371-9920 ext. 2019 or by e-mail at Sylvie.choletterrsss16.gouv.qc.ca, and please read this information prepared by the internists in Valleyfield for McGill residents.

Accredited Site: Yes

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 1



6. THETFORD MINES *

Site:  CSSS de la Région de Thetford - Centre hospitalier de la région de l’Amiante

Address: 1717 rue Notre Dame North, Thetford Mines, QC G6G2V4

Telephone: (418) 338-7777 (hospital)

Supervisor:  Dr. C. Lauzon : claude.lauzon4sympatico.ca

Activities:  1 week rotations paired with 1 of 5 internists, varying content:
                   Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient
                   Intensive care consultations
                   Academic activities include journal clubs

Languages: French

Housing provided: Yes

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact Dr. Lauzon or:   

Martine Walker at (418) 338-7729 for reimbursement of fees
Sylvette Vachon at (418) 338-7777 ext. 7740 for lodging
(support may also available through the ARM/FMRQ)

Accredited Site: No (you MUST apply to the Collège des médecins >3 months ahead of time for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 1 *

* This site regularly receives Residents from Laval University, and access to this site by McGill trainees may be limited as a result. The exact number of rotations aill vary each year. *



7. MAGDALEN ISLANDS *

Site:  CSSS des Iles - Centre hospitalier de l’archipel (CHA)
            www.ilesdelamadeleine.com

Telephone: (418) 986-2121 (hospital)

Supervisors:  Dr. M. Bérubé and Dr. R. Hanel 
                      Michel_Berubessss.gouv.qc.ca
                      robert.hanel.archipelssss.gouv.qc.ca

Administrative Contact:  Stella Landry, Office of the Director of Professional Services
                                            stella.landry.archipel@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Activities:   Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient
                    Chemotherapy for oncology patients
                    Intensive care unit consultations
                    Exercise stress testing
                    

Exposure to various procedures: PICC lines, central lines, bone marrow biopsies, thoracentesis.

Languages: French (English spoken by supervisors).

Housing provided: Yes 

Fees reimbursement: Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of air travel costs
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Stella Landry at (418) 986-2121 ext. 8317

Accredited Site: No (you MUST apply to the Collège des médecins >3 months ahead of time for a transfer of your training card)

Maximum number of Residents per academic period: 1 

* This site is experiencing physician manpower shortages, so access to this site will depend on the physician manpower situation each year. *

8. MARIA *

Site:  CSSS de la Baie-des-Chaleurs
    
Address: 419, boul Perron, Maria, Québec G0C 1Y0

Telephone:  (418) 759-3443

Supervisors:   Dr. Richard Audet : ricaudetglobetrotter.net

                     Dr. Pierre Carignan

                     Dr. Claude Girard : carole.applebyglobetrotter.net

Activities: Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient 

                Intensive care consultations

                Oncology

                Bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroscopy

                Diabetic clinic

                Academic activities include journal clubs
 
Languages:   French (& English - see below)

20% of the local population speaks English.

Teaching and charting generally done in French, but may be done in English in certain cases.

Housing provided: Yes

Fees reimbursement:

Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

For information, please contact: Doryne Cyr at

doryne.cyr.chbcssss.gouv.qc.ca

or 418-759-1336 ext 2811  for reimbursement of fees and lodging.

Accredited Site: This site is an accredited teaching site for Université Laval, and you MUST apply to the Collège des médecins >3 months ahead of time for a transfer of your training card

Maximum number of McGill Residents per academic period: 1 *

* This site regularly receives Residents from Université Laval and is experiencing physician manpower shortages, and access to this site by McGill trainees will be limited as a result. The exact number of rotations permitted will vary each year. *

9. BAIE-COMEAU

Site:  CSSS de Manicouagan ( visit their website here ), Hôpital Le Royer
    
Address: 635, boul Joliet, Baie-Comeau, Québec G5C 1P1

Telephone:  (418) 589-3701

Supervisors:   Dr. Yves Girard

                
Activities: Internal medicine consultations: in and outpatient 

                Intensive care consultations

                Exercise stress testing, echocardiograms, sleep studies

                Academic activities include journal clubs
 
Language:   French - written and spoken

Housing provided: Yes

Fees reimbursement:

Travel and food as per standard government agreement
Reimbursement of equivalent of return ticket by bus
Standard amount for food and other expenses

Accredited Site: Yes

Maximum number of McGill Residents per academic period: 1

Other Information

Preparing for your rural rotation

The site supervisor is not authorized to grant any leave.

All leaves whether for vacation, illness, family reasons, conferences attendance or presentations must be discussed ahead of time with your local Medical Teaching Office.  Permission must be obtained from your local Medical Teaching Office who will inform the site of any changes in your rotation schedule.  

Preparing for your rotation

Residents should contact the site coordinator 3-4 weeks in advance to obtain information on the accommodations provided and to get additional details specific to the site and their rotation.

Things to bring

Things to know about lodging

In many cases, residents will be sharing an apartment. Therefore, it is important that everyone does their share to keep the accommodations clean and safe. All accommodations are non-smoking environments.

Generally, there is a phone in the apartment.  You can not make long distance calls unless it is a collect call.  However, you can receive long distance calls.

If there is a problem with the lodging provided, the supervisor at the site should be notified immediately. The Rural Education Office should be contacted if the problem is not taken care of and in case of an emergency.

There is generally no internet access at the apartment, transit or private home where you will be staying. However, internet is usually available at the hospital or clinic. You should contact the coordinator at the site for more information.

Reimbursement of expenses and other money matters

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (MSSS) funds the travel, lodging, and living expenses of trainees doing a rural rotation in Quebec.  It is important to note that the amounts reimbursed vary from site to site. It is based on whether it is a designated area or not, and whether the site provides lodging, transportation and meals.

To be eligible for the stipends, residents must be established in the region for the duration of the rotation.  Each site has its own reimbursement procedures. It is essential to provide all personal contact information to the coordinator at the site.

You should expect your cheque from the site within 6 months of your rotation. If you have not received your cheque after 6 months, please contact the local site coordinator or the McGill Rural Education office at (514) 398-5666 or by email at sersec.medmcgill.ca

Travel expenses

One return trip per rotation (28 days) at the rate of $0.34 per km (automobile) or transportation by train or bus is granted. Travel expenses are based on government established distances in kilometers between the home university and the rotation site. When traveling to distant regions, the air flight is usually booked and paid by the site. However, travel to and from the Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport is not reimbursed.

Residents doing a two or three months rotation are allowed one round trip per month.

Lodging expenses

Most of the sites provide residents with lodging.  Trainees in Gatineau and Valleyfield have the option of staying in the apartment or organizing their own accommodations. In the latter case, a sum of $480.00 per rotation period (28 days) is granted. However, you must stay in the region in order to benefit from the stipend. See the description of the sites for more information.

Living expenses