Annual Report 2022-2023: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Subspecialty Residency Program Report

Submitted by Dr. Karen Wang, Director, CAP Subspecialty Program

As one of the most comprehensive training programs in Canada, the University of Toronto's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Subspecialty Residency Program continues to attract high calibre residents from across the country.  During the past two years, we have had a record number of applicants, attesting to the ongoing draw of our diverse educational experiences offered through the 13 University of Toronto affiliated CAP training sites.

Dr. Daniel Gorman, who oversaw the implementation of the Competency by Design curriculum, and facilitated a successful Royal College accreditation process, completed his eight-year term last fall (2014-2022).  Dr. Karen Wang assumed the Program Director role as of September 2022.

In May 2023, a CAP Residency Program Committee (RPC) retreat was held at Massey College with a focused discussion on anticipated challenges in CAP training and articulating a clear vision for the UT CAP program. Three key themes emerged from the retreat.  First, there is a need for a more integrated, cohesive curriculum focused on inquiry-based learning and enhancing residents’ leadership abilities. Second, faculty recognize the need for further professional development opportunities and engagement of junior colleagues in the delivery of the CAP program. Third, meaningful wellness initiatives are critical to the health of our learners and foster greater resilience. A vision statement focused on developing adaptive leaders was also crafted subsequent to the CAP Divisional Retreat.

University of Toronto Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Subspecialty Residency Program Vision: Developing Adaptive Leaders

At the University of Toronto, our vision is to develop child and adolescent psychiatry residents to become adaptive leaders who will advocate for the integration, coordination and collaboration of mental health systems. Our educators are committed to nurturing a learning environment that supports a growth mindset, relational connectedness, and mentorship. We aim to cultivate the next generation of CAP leaders who will have the potential to share systems and policies in children’s mental health.

In light of the CAP vision, new educational partnerships have been also been initiated this past year. A Pediatric-Psychiatry Collaborative was formed to facilitate children’s mental health training for General Pediatric residents at 4 specific pilot CAP sites. Further opportunities for collaborative educational scholarship in this area are being explored and spearheaded by former and current CAP residents. Given the increasing need for educational innovation in the context of curriculum renewal and an emphasis on building adaptive leaders, a CAP Educational Donation Fund will be launched in September 2023 to support the implementation of these strategic goals.