COVID-19 Information for Residency Programs - Week of February 1, 2021

Resident Awareness Week

A reminder that Resident Awareness Week begins Monday, February 8, 2021. PGME will be sending out a note of thanks for the work and care our residents and fellows provide.

COVID-19 and Vaccinations

  • There are currently NO outbreaks at LHSC. Resident rotation change can proceed as scheduled on February 9, unless an outbreak occurs between now and Tuesday (in which case residents working on the outbreak unit would be required to stay on that unit, or self-isolate for 14 days, or until the outbreak was over; whichever is shorter. Note: outbreaks are declared over 14 days after last case identified);
  • Number of influenza cases in London Middlesex so far: Zero!;
  • COVID-19 numbers in the region appear to be stable;
  • Agriplex vaccination clinic opening Monday, February 8, 2021, and will be providing second dose vaccinations to those who have had their first.

Examination Update

  • The Structured Office Oral (SOO) that was scheduled for the fall for those CFPC trainees who had been unsuccessful in the past has been cancelled. The SOO examination was not required by the CFPC either last year or this year, so this affects a small number of trainees who had failed the exam when it was required;
  • The NBME Step 2 examination (an OSCE type-examination used for licensure and assessment in the United States) has been permanently cancelled;
  • MCC has identified a vendor for the virtual MCC Part 2 exam, but no dates have been set. The PGME deans from Ontario have written to CPSO requesting exemption from the exam requirement for our learners who have successfully completed training and certification exams but not had the opportunity to complete the Part 2 exam (this is currently ~ 500 physicians in Ontario, practicing under a temporary license, and by July will be an additional ~ 1000).