Graduate Studies

Telephone: 416 482 2340 Fax: 416 482 2560

Email: gradstudies@cmcc.ca

Website: cmcc.ca/academic-programs/chiropractic-residency-programs

Director

Paula J. Stern, BSc, DC, FCCS(C)

Graduate Studies provides an advanced program of study emphasizing excellence in clinical skills, research, teaching, learning and leadership. The program values rigour and innovation, critical thinking, service, professionalism and lifelong learning. Our world class faculty celebrate success and foster a culture that is supportive, collegial, interactive and respectful.

CMCC offers Graduate Studies Chiropractic Residency Programs in three specialty areas: Clinical Sciences, Diagnostic Imaging and Sports Sciences. Diagnostic and clinical skills developed at the undergraduate level are further enhanced through external clinical and research practica along with in-class participation. Upon graduation and completion of the relevant chiropractic specialty colleges’ written requirements, students are eligible to write Fellowship Examinations.

Eligible students enrolled in the CMCC Clinical Sciences Chiropractic Residency program can apply to the Master of Science in Health Services Research program at the University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (IHPME). Students enrolled in the IHPME MSc and the CMCC diploma program should be able to complete both programs in three years. Please see section University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation for further details on application processes.

Chiropractic Residency Programs

The Chiropractic Residency Programs combine both practical and theoretical aspects of clinical practice by offering placements supervised by specialists from chiropractic and other healthcare professions, offering exposure to an advanced mix of clinical experiences. Emphasis is placed on practical skill development, research and teaching, both on site and through collaborative arrangements with other healthcare and laboratory facilities. In addition, students teach in assigned undergraduate courses.

A common core curriculum underpins the residency programs, which then diverges to include courses specific to the respective specialty (Clinical Sciences, Diagnostic Imaging or Sports Sciences). Practica span the core disciplines of teaching, patient management, consulting, and research involving interprofessional collaboration with other healthcare clinicians and scientists.

In addition to curricula and practica graduate students must complete several written requirements, which are due to the Director by July 31 of the year their program ends. The written requirements include a systematic literature review and a research thesis which must be of publishable quality and approved by the student’s faculty research supervisor, systematic review supervisor and the Program Coordinator.

The residency programs specify a period of residence during which the student is expected to participate in on-campus activities. While not attending external clinical practica, each graduate student can expect to be engaged in structured programs up to 40 hours per week. Courses may be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and will vary by the time of year and course load.

Graduates are eligible to write fellowship examinations set by their respective specialty colleges: the College of Chiropractic Sciences (Canada); the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada); and, in the case of Diagnostic Imaging, the diplomate examinations of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiology (ACBR), results of which are accepted by the Chiropractic College of Radiologists (Canada) Inc. The Clinical Sciences and Sports Sciences programs may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis.

The CMCC Graduate Studies diploma does not give the graduate the right to practice as a chiropractic specialist. Achievement of Fellowship status from one of the specialty colleges of the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic may be obtained by fulfilling the qualifications required by the appropriate specialty college, at which time the right to specialty practice may be conferred.

CMCC Model of Care Statement

Chiropractic is a primary contact healthcare profession with expert knowledge in spinal and musculoskeletal health, emphasizing differential diagnosis, patient-centred care, and research.

Chiropractic Residency Programs Graduate Competencies

The Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College has adopted CanMEDS educational framework1 for a competency-based education for its Chiropractic Residency Programs. The competencies build on the undergraduate Graduate Competencies, illustrating the higher level learning outcomes for the residency programs.

Competency in health professional education is defined as a demonstrable ability of a health professional that develops through stages of expertise from novice to clinician. CMCC’s graduate studies competency framework describes seven roles that will be satisfied through several key competencies. Each of the enabling competencies acts as a potential pathway to ensure that the key competencies are achieved.

A. Expert in Spinal and Musculoskeletal Health

Definition:

As experts in spinal and musculoskeletal health, chiropractic specialists integrate evidenced-based knowledge, clinical skills and a patient-centred approach to provide safe and effective management consistent within their specialty area.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Apply knowledge within the expertise of their specialty area.

1.1

Enabling Competencies

Apply a broad base and depth of knowledge in clinical and biomedical science to manage the breadth of patient presentations.

1.2

Teach aspects of their discipline to students, health care professionals and stakeholders.

1.3

Provide expert clinical opinion as pertinent to key stakeholders.

2. Perform a patient-centred clinical assessment and integrate into the management consistent within their specialty area.

1.4

Understand the expert’s role related to the provision of advice on clinical matters.

1.5

Advise when additional follow up investigations are required in changing clinical circumstances.

2.1

Conduct a clinical assessment when a second opinion is requested or in situations with a high degree of diagnostic uncertainty.

2.2

Develop and implement management plans that consider all of the patient’s health problems and context, in collaboration with the patient and family and, when appropriate, the interdisciplinary team.

2.3

Develop, in collaboration with the patient and family, a plan to deal with clinical uncertainty.

2.4 Perform, where appropriate, a procedure in a skillful and safe manner, adapting to unanticipated findings or changing clinical circumstances.

B. Communicator

Definition:

As communicators, chiropractic specialists effectively synthesize and document the clinical encounter, and communicate to stakeholders in a clear, collaborative, respectful and responsible manner.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Synthesize the clinical encounter to effectively convey patient information to stakeholders.

Enabling Competencies

1.1

Integrate, summarize and present the biopsychosocial information obtained from a patient-centred interview.

2. Communicate, in a clear, collaborative, respectful and responsible manner at a specialist level.

1.2

Manage the flow of challenging patient encounters, including varying attitudes, behaviour and emotions.

2.1

Provide information on a patient encounter in a clear, compassionate, respectful and objective manner.

2.2

Facilitate discussions with stakeholders in a manner that is respectful, nonjudgmental and culturally safe.

2.3

Adapt to the unique cultural awareness, needs and preferences of each patient and to their clinical condition and circumstances.

2.4

Respond to patients’ non-verbal communication and use appropriate non-verbal behaviours to enhance communication with patients.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

3. Document, maintain and share written and electronic information at a specialist level.

C. Collaborator

Definition:

Enabling Competencies

3.1

Adapt written and electronic communication to the specificity of the discipline and to stakeholders' expectations.

3.2

Share information with stakeholders in a manner that respects patient privacy and confidentiality and enhances understanding.

As collaborators, chiropractic specialists develop intra- and interprofessional relationships when appropriate, to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centred care.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Forge effective relationships with colleagues, other health care professionals, and the community.

Enabling Competencies

1.1

1.2

Mentor using constructive feedback and knowledge transfer. Engage in respectful shared decisionmaking processes.

1.3

Use referral and consultation mechanisms to improve quality of care and enhance patient outcomes.

2. Engage with patients and stakeholders to promote problem-solving, manage differences and resolve conflict.

2.1 Implement strategies to promote understanding, manage differences and resolve conflicts in a manner that supports a collaborative culture.

2.2 Demonstrate efficient handover of care, both verbal and written, during patient transitions to a different healthcare professional, setting and/or stage of care.

D. Health Advocate

Definition:

As health advocates, chiropractic specialists provide expertise and respond to the needs of an individual, communities and/or populations within and beyond the clinical environment to improve health.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Respond to an individual patient’s health needs by advocating with the patient within and beyond the clinical environment.

Enabling Competencies

1.1

Work with the patient and family to increase opportunities to adopt healthy behaviours.

1.2

Work with the patient and family to identify opportunities for disease prevention, health promotion and health protection.

1.3

Understand the impact of societal inequities on the health and well-being of the patient.

2. Respond to the needs of the communities or populations by advocating for system-level change in a socially accountable manner.

E. Scholar

Definition:

2.1

Champion health promotion and disease prevention programs relevant to appropriate stakeholders.

2.2

Promote evidence-informed public health practices and initiatives.

As scholars, chiropractic specialists engage in self-directed learning and lead in the creation, critical appraisal, application and translation of knowledge into practice.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Engage in self-directed learning within chiropractic, their own specialty and general health field.

Enabling Competencies

1.1

Identify opportunities for learning and improvement by regularly reflecting and assessing personal performance using various internal and external sources.

1.2

Demonstrate the outcomes of critical self-reflection.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

Enabling Competencies

1.3 Engage in collaborative learning to continuously improve and contribute to collective improvements in practice.

2. Lead in the creation, critical appraisal, dissemination, application and translation of knowledge and practice.

2.1

Critically evaluate the integrity, reliability and applicability of health-related research and literature.

Integrate best evidence and clinical expertise into decision-making in their practice.

Integrate principles of knowledge translation in inter/intra-professional collaboration, patient education, and scholarly activity.

F. Professional

Definition:

2.4

Contribute, synthesize and disseminate research.

2.5

Summarize and communicate to professional and public audiences, including patients and their families, the findings of relevant research and scholarly inquiry.

As professionals, chiropractic specialists demonstrate commitment to personal health, well-being, professionalism and accountability to the profession. This commitment extends to advancing the health and well-being of patients and society.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Demonstrate a commitment to personal health, well-being and professional performance to foster optimal patient care.

Enabling Competencies

1.1

Exhibit self-awareness and effectively manage influences on personal well-being and professional performance.

1.2

Promote a culture that recognizes, supports, and responds effectively to stakeholder needs.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

Enabling Competencies

1.3 Provide mentorship to students and colleagues.

2. Demonstrate a commitment to a culture of patient safety and quality improvement.

2.1

Use strategies to mitigate the impact of patient safety incidents.

2.2

Adhere to institutional policies and procedures to ensure patient safety and quality of care.

3. Exhibit appropriate professional behaviours and relationships in all aspects of daily encounters.

G. Leader

Definition:

3.1

Recognize ethical issues and conflict of interest encountered in the clinical and academic setting.

3.2

Exhibit professional behaviours in the use of technology-enabled communication.

3.3

Recognize evolving professional identity transitions.

As leaders, chiropractic specialists interact to advance a vision of high-quality healthcare and the advancement of patient care through their activities as clinicians, administrators, scholars, and/or teachers.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

1. Manage their practice and career.

Enabling Competencies

Build relationships with mentors.

Engage others to develop a culture of continuous practice improvement.

Set priorities and manage time to integrate and balance practice and professional life.

Adjust educational experiences to gain competencies necessary for future independent practice.

Key Competencies

Chiropractors are able to:

2. Contribute to optimal healthcare delivery.

Enabling Competencies

2.1

Analyze and provide feedback on processes seen in one’s own practice, team, organization or system.

2.2

Use data informatics to improve the quality of patient care and optimize patient safety.

3. Recognize their specialty's governing structure and standards.

2.3

Apply evidence and guidelines with respect to resource utilization in common clinical scenarios.

4. Advocate for inclusivity in practice and different environments.

3.1

Describe key health policies and organizational issues in their specialty.

3.2

Contribute to their specialty while understanding their own specialty standards.

4.1 Promote a just and equitable culture to openness and inclusivity.

Chiropractic Residency Program Delivery and Assessment

A variety of learning formats are utilized including self-directed and problem-based learning, small group discussions, lectures, graduate rounds, and active clinical and research participation.

CMCC utilizes a learning management system (LMS) to support the web facilitation of content in each course. Web resources and video conferencing technologies are used to complement face to face sessions. In addition, some courses may be offered in a hybrid or online format. Hybrid courses blend elearning with face to face delivery. In a hybrid course, substantial parts of the content are delivered online and discussions, team projects and activities are used to augment learning. Online delivery includes courses in which all or almost all of the content is web based with few if any face to face meetings. Delivery methods include multimedia, video conferencing, social networking and the use of learning objects.

Regardless of the delivery format, each course has its own site on the LMS on which faculty post syllabi, readings, assignments, relevant course activities and other resources. In addition, students can use the LMS to track their academic progress over the year.

Students can use computers in the Library or their own personal computer, laptop, tablet or web-enabled personal device to access the LMS. Basic technological skills are required to access the LMS, download course materials, and complete learning modules in hybrid and online courses. Familiarity with Microsoft Office software including Word, PowerPoint and Excel is also needed.

Students in the Chiropractic Residency Programs are required to:

• complete core curriculum

• complete specialty specific curriculum

• attend assigned practica

• teach in assigned undergraduate curriculum

• complete a systematic literature review and a research thesis.

The curricular framework is as follows:

Field Specific Curriculum – Clinical Sciences

University of Toronto Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (IHPME)

An agreement has been established with the University of Toronto’s Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation (IHPME) to foster greater collaboration and promote educational research among the students and faculty of CMCC’s Clinical Sciences Program and those of IHPME.

Eligible students enrolled in the CMCC Clinical Sciences Chiropractic Residency Program are able to apply to IHPME’s Master of Science in Health Services Research (MSc HSR) program. Students are required to apply to IHPME in their first year of study in the clinical sciences program. IHPME will grant recognition for up to two graduate level courses taken at CMCC as MSc HSR course credits.

Students will be eligible to graduate with their CMCC Graduate Studies diploma upon successful completion of the academic requirements in their third year of the pathway, subject to approval by the CMCC Graduate Student Promotions Committee. Students will be expected to meet the requirements for both CMCC Clinical Sciences Chiropractic Residency and University of Toronto IHPME MSc HSR programs to qualify for graduation with their MSc.

Students interested in applying to both programs must contact CMCC‘s Director of Graduate Studies by November 15 of their application year. Students accepted into the CMCC Clinical Sciences Residency program who are also interested in applying to the IHPME program must submit a statement of intent and reference letter from their research supervisor to Graduate Studies by March 30. The statement of intent (maximum 500 words) must specify the specific area of research in health services and a description of the proposed research project. The supervisor’s letter of reference should address the applicant’s preparation and competence to conduct the research, and a commitment to provide a portion of the resident’s program funding. The application will be reviewed by faculty from Graduate Studies and the successful applicant will be notified of their eligibility to apply to IHPME by May 30.

For further information on the University of Toronto Masters program, visit www.ihpme.utoronto.ca

For further information on the CMCC program, please contact Dr. Stern, Director of Graduate Studies, CMCC.

Applying to CMCC’s Graduate Studies Chiropractic Residency Programs

Entry into the CMCC Graduate Studies Chiropractic Residency Programs is limited. The institution will admit only the most qualified applicants annually. Students also interested in applying to the IHPME program must contact the Director of Graduate Studies Program by November 15.

Application Prerequisites

Applicants must be graduates from or enrolled in the final year of a chiropractic program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada of the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic, the Council on Chiropractic Education (US), or an accrediting agency that is a member in good standing of the Councils on Chiropractic Education International.

Application and Registration Due Dates and Fees

November 15, 2023

Application Fee (non-refundable)* $300

March 1, 2024

Registration/Confirmation of Acceptance (non-refundable)*

*Tax creditable fees that are eligible for the T2202 income tax reporting (calendar year basis).

*Transcripts and Documentation

• Transcripts from institutions outside of North America must be evaluated on a course by course basis by World Education Services, Inc. (WES). This is the only agency from which CMCC will accept foreign transcript evaluations.

• Applicants must set up an account with WES, designating CMCC as a recipient. Official copies of transcript evaluations must be forwarded directly by WES to CMCC. For more information, please contact World Education Services, Inc. wes.org/ca

• Notarized English translations of documents and certified true photocopies of the originals of all documents that are in a language other than English must be provided at the time of application.

**English Language Proficiency Requirements

Students for whom English is not a first language will be asked to identify such on their application, and may be required to submit evidence of their proficiency in English by demonstrating:

• sufficient university level course work in English as determined by the Registrar; and/or

• a minimum score of 92 on the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); and/or

• a minimum score of 7.0 on the International English Language Test System (IELTS). For more information about TOEFL, please visit www.ets.org/toefl (CMCC’s institutional code is 8866), and for more information about the IELTS, please visit www.ielts.org

Program Entry Requirements

Applicants provided with a letter of offer must hold or maintain the following qualifications before entering the program:

1. Graduation from a chiropractic program accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education Canada of the Federation of Canadian Chiropractic, the Council on Chiropractic Education (US), or an accrediting agency that is a member in good standing of the Councils on Chiropractic Education International.

2. Successful completion of provincial (Ontario) and national (Canadian) licensing board examinations (Completion of American national board examinations is an asset).

Additional Requirements for Students Studying in Foreign Universities and International Students:

Immigration Requirements

• Foreign nationals are required to hold and present a valid study permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in order to register at CMCC. CMCC must verify the student’s valid study permit and will retain the study permit number and expiry date, subject to institutional requirements as determined by CIC. CMCC’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number is O19359174402. More information is available at cmcc.ca/student-experience/international-students