Preparing for Residency: OLA and TiR

We understand that the transition to residency training can be busy and sometimes stressful as learners take on new roles and responsibilities. To support learners during this important stage, two online modules have been developed to help prepare for early training:

1. Teaching in Residency (TiR)

Residents will play an important role in teaching, particularly in supporting clinical clerks. The updated Teaching in Residency (TiR) module introduces foundational knowledge to help residents succeed in clinical teaching.

Why it matters:
- Supports professional development
- Meets undergraduate accreditation requirements
- Helps with Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) related to teaching
Time to complete: 30–45 minutes
Who should complete: Designed for residents, but also valuable for Clinical Fellows

2. Introduction to the Office of Learner Affairs (OLA)

The Office of Learner Affairs (OLA) is here to support learners throughout their academic and professional journey. This introductory module provides:

An overview of OLA services and resources
Common reasons learners reach out
How to access support to optimize your well-being
Time to complete: Approximately 20 minutes
Accreditation: Satisfies PGME requirements

For PGY1 Residents:

It is mandatory for all PGY1 entry residents to complete both the Teaching in Residency (TiR) and Office of Learner Affairs modules. Each program's Competence Committee will monitor their completion as part of the Transition to Discipline Stage progress review.

Deadlines:

Regular cycle PGY-1s: September 30th, 2025
Off-cycle PGY-1s: January 30th, 2026

Access requires logging into Quercus https://q.utoronto.ca/courses/394125 with learners’ UTORid, password, and two factor authentication (UTORMFA).

For Fellows:

The TiR and OLA modules are optional for fellows (i.e., those enrolled in a post-residency clinical fellowship program) to complete. However, we encourage fellows to complete the OLA module, in particular, as it will introduce them to all of the supports and services available to learners.

Access requires logging into Quercus https://q.utoronto.ca/courses/429041 with fellows’ UTORid, password, and two factor authentication (UTORMFA).