Learning Opportunities
Severe endometriosis surgery requires specialized expertise. Almost 80% of graduating gynecology residents did not feel comfortable with surgical management of advanced disease. Other healthcare disciplines are rarely trained in endometriosis management. The center will focus on inter-professional education at the undergraduate, postgraduate and fellowship levels.
A dedicated 6-week laparoscopy rotation for fourth-year residents at McMaster University will incorporate surgical management of endometriosis. Three fellowship positions (1 foreign-trained and 2 local) will create future academic leaders in endometriosis care. Graduates will be able to coordinate and promote collaboration, train others and provide leadership for research. Elective opportunities will be provided for anesthesia residents, nursing students, midwifery, physician assistant and nurse practitioner trainees.
Physicians
Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fellows in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery will work with leading experts in the field with the goal of: enhancing early diagnosis; evaluation of innovative therapeutic options for women with endometriosis; training in state-of-the art procedures in minimally invasive surgery; and participation in pre-clinical and clinical endometriosis research.
Graduate Students
Opportunities are available for highly motivated graduate students to work with leading experts in endometriosis research on projects that address clinically relevant questions central to the development, diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Our research team leads novel studies in the development of diagnostic markers, new blood vessel growth, innovative treatment options, and reproductive immunology of endometriosis. Students are encouraged to participate in journal club presentations and to take advantage of opportunities for training in affiliated laboratories. Finally, all of our students are supported to present the results of their research at leading scientific and clinical meetings. Students interested in pursuing graduate studies at McMaster University are encouraged to apply through the Faculty of Health Sciences graduate student office
http://graduate.mcmaster.ca/
Undergraduate Students
Summer employment opportunities are available for highly qualified undergraduate students to work on pre-clinical and clinical research projects. Students are integrated into the endometriosis clinic team and exposed to all steps of the research enterprise from concept development, research project planning, grant preparation, and study execution. During the academic year occasional opportunities arise for students to assist with data base management, statistical analyses, and small laboratory projects. Interested students are encouraged to consult members of the research team for opportunities in their laboratories.
Volunteers
The Endometriosis Clinic has been developed as multidisciplinary team to augment and enhance research efforts into the timely diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Volunteers are needed to assist on the endometriosis clinic management committee, to assist with community outreach efforts, to establish and lead community support networks, assist in study participant recruitment, and provide assistance with communication of study results.
