For incoming learners:

• International medical students coming from anywhere outside Canada will have their electives cancelled going forward;
• Residents and Fellows from outside Canada coming for one month or less will have their electives cancelled going forward;
• Residents and Fellows from outside Canada coming for more than one month will be subject to a two-week self-quarantine (if asymptomatic) after arrival in Canada. (These learners may consider arriving early in order to start on time.)
• U of T medical learners currently on electives in affected countries have been asked to return from their clinical placements. All learners returning from any international travel will be asked to complete a screening form upon arrival. Those who are symptomatic will be advised as per Toronto Public Health guidelines. Those who are asymptomatic must report to Occupational Health at their clinical sites before they may return to clinical duties and educational activities. 

For outgoing learners, all U of T Faculty of Medicine learners planning to leave Canada for any kind of travel, professional or personal, must be aware that:

• Upon return to Toronto, all U of T learners who have travelled outside Canada must report to Occupational Health at their clinical sites before assuming clinical duties and educational activities. 

Given that global information regarding COVID-19 is changing rapidly, learners who have travelled outside Canada may be quarantined and unable to participate in their rotations for 14 days, which could lead to lost educational time that must be made up at a future date. Learners who are quarantined will be encouraged to explore remote attendance at academic or group activities with the relevant program lead.

Please consider the impact of non-essential travel outside of Canada. During this time of heightened concern, the Faculty will do its utmost to support U of T learners and continue educational programs as best as possible while fulfilling our obligation to wise practice in public health and safety.  

For questions, please contact:

Dr. Seetha Radhakrishnan, Director of Electives for the MD Program: seetha.radhakrishnan@sickkids.ca

Dr. Stacey Bernstein, MD Program Clerkship Director: stacey.bernstein@sickkids.ca or

Dr. Marcus Law, MD Program Foundations Director: marcus.law@utoronto.ca

Dr. Linda Probyn, Director, PGME Admissions & Evaluation: postgrad.med@utoronto.ca or 416-978-6976

For further resources:

• Government of Canada Travel Advice (COVID-19)
• Ontario Ministry of Health
• Toronto Public Health
• Peel Public Health
• Public Health Ontario
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization

Sincerely,

Dr. Glen Bandiera
Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education
University of Toronto

and

Dr. Patricia Houston
Vice Dean, MD Program
University of Toronto

2020-2021 Toronto PGME Hospital Occupational Health Contacts

Acute Respiratory Infection Screening Questionnaire PGME