title: Shifting into third gear: current options and controversies in third-year postgraduate family medicine programs in Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize current options for postgraduate third-year programs in family medicine in Canada and compile current controversies about the expanding number of programs available and the trend toward subspecialization in family medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted by the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Library research staff for Canadian family medicine fellowships and residency programs using MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature from the beginning of 2005 to September 1, 2011. All available websites for programs offering third-year options were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canadian family medicine residency programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A list of current third-year residency programs was generated from the Canadian Post-MD Education Registry. In addition, the current Canadian Resident Matching Service website was reviewed, along with every program-specific website, for current third-year programs offered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 30 different options for third-year residency programs are available, including a number of community-influenced and resident-directed enhanced-skills programs. In 2010 to 2011 there were 237 postgraduate third-year family medicine residents compared with 128 in 2010 to 2011, an increase of 109 positions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Controversies over the benefits to the patient population, the practice patterns of third-year residency graduates, and the influence of a subspecialty trend against a stated goal of comprehensive family medicine continue to exist, while the number of available third-year residency options continues to expand.
authors.affiliation: University of Saskatchewan, Academic Family Medicine, Regina Centre Crossing, Suite 172, 1621 Albert St, Regina, SK S4P 2S5. paul.dhillon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dhillon
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D013038:Specialization / Q000639:trends
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