Subspecialty Training

The objective of the UBC Subspecialty Infectious Diseases Training Program is to develop well‑rounded infectious diseases clinicians. The program is designed to accommodate a wide range of trainee interests and can be tailored to support each individual’s career goals.

Graduates of the program have pursued additional training in areas such as addiction medicine, antimicrobial stewardship, HIV medicine, medical education, transplant infectious diseases, and critical care (ICU), among others. UBC also offers a Clinician Investigator Program (CIP), which provides structured support for fellows seeking additional research training following completion of fellowship.

Royal College Objectives of Training in Infectious Diseases (PDF)
The detailed objectives of training in Infectious Diseases are outlined by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and are available in this document.

Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)

Training at Vancouver General Hospital focuses on complex tertiary and quaternary care, with special emphasis on:

• Bone marrow and solid organ transplantation
• Travel and tropical medicine
• Neurosurgery and neurology
• Burns and multiple trauma
• Tuberculosis
• Spinal cord injury

St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH)

At St. Paul’s Hospital, training objectives emphasize conditions and populations central to urban infectious diseases care, including:

• HIV/AIDS
• Cardiovascular surgery and cardiology
• Cystic fibrosis
• Infections in people who inject drugs

Infection Unit

A dedicated ward at St. Paul’s Hospital provides care for:

• Patients with HIV/AIDS
• Individuals with substance use disorders and associated infections

This unit offers a valuable elective opportunity and in-depth exposure to complex urban health issues.

Infections seen at both VGH and SPH

Across both major adult teaching hospitals, trainees gain experience managing:

• Acute and chronic community-acquired infections
• Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections
• Medical device–associated infections
• Surgical infections

Additional Training Sites and Specialized Areas

Obstetrics and Gynecology–Related Infections

Training occurs at:

• BC Women’s Hospital
• Oak Tree Clinic

Key learning areas include:

• HIV infection in women, youth, and children

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Training includes:

• Two 4-week blocks at BC Children’s Hospital
• Participation in:
  • Inpatient consultation services
  • Outpatient infectious diseases clinics

Ambulatory Care

Ambulatory care experiences are longitudinal and occur throughout the program.

Core components:

• A longitudinal Infectious Diseases clinic focused on general ID care

Elective Ambulatory Experiences

• One full-time 4-week block in:
  • Tuberculosis or
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC)
• One full-time 1-month rotation at the Oak Tree Clinic for women and families with HIV
• Outpatient management of viral hepatitis

Hospital Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)

IPAC training includes:

• One 4-week block covering both clinical and laboratory aspects of infection control
• Completion of a project addressing an active IPAC issue
• Participation in outbreak investigations
• Attendance at:
  • Monthly Infection Control Unit meetings for one year (except during inpatient consultation rotations)
  • Daily infection control meetings while on the Pediatric service

Training occurs at:

• St. Paul’s Hospital
• Vancouver General Hospital
• BC Children’s Hospital

Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology training includes:

• Foundational Training
  • Three 4-week blocks with hands-on experience in:
    • Bacteriology
    • Mycology
    • Virology
    • Molecular diagnostics
    • Parasitology
• Advanced Training
  • A dedicated infection control and antimicrobial stewardship block
  • Two additional 4-week blocks in advanced microbiology and virology at SPH or another approved site
• Public Health
  • One block at a municipal or regional public health agency, focusing on health promotion and disease prevention at Vancouver Coastal Health

Research Training

Research is a core emphasis of the UBC Infectious Diseases program.

Trainees receive:

• Training in clinical epidemiology, including:
  • Study design and interpretation
  • Evaluation of diagnostic and investigative methods
  • Data analysis and basic statistical skills
• Ongoing development of critical appraisal skills through weekly Journal Club

Scholarly Expectations

• Elective research rotations in clinical or basic science research under committee supervision
• Submission of:
  • At least one abstract to a major scientific meeting
  • One manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal

Infectious Diseases Academic Half-Day

When: Every Thursday afternoon

Participants: Adult ID, Pediatric ID, and Medical Microbiology residents
(Subspecialty residents are excused from clinical duties)

Program Features

• A structured two-year curriculum covering:
  • Core basic sciences
  • Clinical infectious diseases training
• Sessions led by both faculty and trainees
• Practice examinations every six months
• Focused preparation for the Royal College Infectious Diseases examination

Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Training Curriculum by Program Year and Block

Infectious Diseases Inter-City Rounds 

• meet weekly during Tuesday lunch hour onsite
• quality improvement/morbidity and mortality review by all the services once every three months.

Plenaries at Infectious Diseases Rounds

• once each month faculty, visiting professors, and subspecialty residents present on research topics and topics of interest. Interactive discussions are encouraged.

Infectious Diseases Journal Club

• meet weekly on Wednesday mornings online
• subspecialty residents, residents and students critically review journal articles, with faculty in attendance.

Interdisciplinary AIDS Care Rounds

• bi-weekly

Immunity and Infection Research Seminars

• basic science seminars.

Tropical Medicine Rounds

• meet weekly on Friday mornings online
• lectures, cases and interactive sessions on the clinical approach to the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tropical diseases.

Professors Evening

• twice each year in June and October
• spend an afternoon and evening with a visiting professor, and ID faculty and fellows, discussing case-based presentations.  

M&M Rounds

Microbes & Microbrews

• Faculty and fellow socials several times per year
• Informal time with colleagues to catch up on life, discuss different career paths and work-life balance

Applying to the Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Training Program

Applications to the Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Training Program are submitted online through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). Applications are invited for positions beginning July 1, 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) using the Fellowship and Subspecialty Residency Match (FRSM) stream.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants training in Canada, the United States, or internationally may be considered if all of the following criteria are met:

• You received your medical degree in Canada
• You are a Canadian citizen
• You are currently in your R3 year of training in a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada–accredited Internal Medicine Core Program

Confirming Eligibility

To confirm your eligibility, review the CaRMS eligibility requirements:

• Eligibility Criteria – See CaRMS
  • Select Basic Eligibility
  • Select Provincial Criteria
  • Choose British Columbia (BC)

Preparing Your CaRMS Application

Before submitting your application you must register with CaRMS

Required application materials: (Submitted electronically through CaRMS)

• Three (3) reference letters
• Medical school diploma
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• MCCQE Part I results
• Copy of medical degree
• Personal statement describing:
  • Your interest in Infectious Diseases
  • Your interest in the UBC program
  • Your career goals
• Proof of Canadian citizenship
• Proof of English language proficiency, if required
  • College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC – English Language Proficiency Requirements (PDF)
    

If you have any further questions, please contact Kirstie Lang at kirstie.lang@ubc.ca