Adult Cystic Fibrosis

Fellowship Title:

Adult Cystic Fibrosis and Bronchiectasis

Division:

Respirology

Fellowship Type:

Clinical

Fellowship Director:

Dr. Elizabeth Tullis

Duration:

6 - 12 months

Application Period:

October 15 - November 15

Anticipated Start Date(s):

July of each year (other start dates are available).

Number of position(s) per year:

1 - 2

Description

The Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Centre is the largest adult CF Clinic in North America and is located at St Michael's Hospital. Care is provided to ~ 600 adults between the ages of 18 and 80 years. The centre consists of an outpatient clinic and 16-bed inpatient ward.  There are 4 full time and 3 part time CF Pulmonologists with a large multidisciplinary team (consisting of nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers, research coordinators, genetic counsellor).

The Fellowship consists of experience with the diagnosis of CF, inpatient and ambulatory management of CF, transition from pediatric care, referral to lung transplantation and opportunities to work with other subspecialists involved with adult CF care (Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Allergy, Obstetrics). 

Training at the Adult CF Centre provides extensive experience in the medical management of CF and its complications (including management of multi-drug resistant infections, massive hemoptysis, pneumothorax, CF-related diabetes, CF liver disease, malnutrition, DIOS, end stage lung disease, multiple drug allergies and pregnancy in CF).

Approximately 7 of the 12 months of Fellowship is spent in the ambulatory clinics.  Fellows attend the CF clinics on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. In addition, Fellows see patients referred for query CF at the weekly Bronchiectasis clinic and patients with GI issues at the monthly CF GI clinic. Fellows also participate in Telehealth clinics to see patients living in remote areas.   

The Fellowship also consists of a total of 4-5 months working on the inpatient ward. In the era of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy, there are typically 4-8 patients admitted to the CF inpatient service at a time with both pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications.  The majority of CF patients listed for lung transplantation in Toronto are cared for at St Michael's Hospital and this provides experience in the transplant referral process, how to care for severely ill patients and in end of life care. 

The CF Clinic in Toronto submits clinic data to the comprehensive Canadian patient database. This database may used for quality improvement and research projects during the Fellowship and there are opportunities for involvement in clinical research during the fellowship with some protected academic time (~4-6 weeks) available. 

There are currently no fellowship positions that are funded by the Toronto Adult CF program. 

Cystic Fibrosis Canada offers a one year Clinical Fellowship for physicians who are eligible to work in Canada after their training with the express purpose of preparing future CF clinicians. Please see the Cystic Fibrosis Canada website for details.

Contact Name:

Elizabeth Tullis

Role:

Fellowship Director and Supervisor

E-mail:

elizabeth.tullis@unityhealth.to

Supplemental Information:

Please review fellowship program application and other information: https://deptmedicine.utoronto.ca/education

Please review the Post MD website for eligibility and additional fellowship registration information: https://pgme.utoronto.ca/register-pgme