Clinical description

The Infectious Diseases services is staffed by four RCPSC sub-specialty certified Infectious Diseases physicians who work in close collaboration with a team of highly trained pharmacists and specialized nurses. The Infectious Diseases service includes inpatient and outpatient consultations, prescription and monitoring of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT), and HIV care. As a result of the high acuity of patients admitted to Royal Inland Hospital and referral area, the Infectious Diseases service sees a very broad range of patients as regards severity and etiology. With the exception of those co-infected with HIV who are managed by the service, patients with chronic viral hepatitis are referred to the liver clinic. All other patients with infectious diseases are accepted in referral otherwise. 

Trainee expectations

Trainees rotating on the Infectious Diseases service will be given graded responsibility based on level of training and experience. The rotation will be offered to all trainees at levels ranging from medical students through to fellowship. A four-week block is considered standard and a minimum 2-week rotation is expected. A standard week of Infectious Diseases service runs Monday through Friday and includes the following:  

• Five ½ day hospital-based OPAT/infectious diseases clinics

• One ½ day community-based HIV specialized clinic

• Inpatient consultation service at Royal Inland Hospital

• Telephone consultation service to regional physicians (Infectious Diseases sub-specialty trainees only)

After hours and weekend call is neither mandatory nor expected. 

Academic opportunities are available to interested trainees. These include participating in original research projects or authoring an Adult Infectious Disease Note to be published in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology.