Introductory Courses Our rich didactic program begins with a month-long introductory course. New CA-1 residents have daily reading assignments which are discussed in depth at daily seminars led by faculty members. With faculty covering the ORs, resident attendance at all of these luncheon conferences is assured. These seminars are designed to give the resident a grasp of the basic concepts in anesthesia (see example schedule). This introductory course has proven extremely successful in providing a strong knowledge base for our residents as they begin their clinical training. In 2004, we added weekly small groups “out-of-OR” learning sessions on topics such as the anesthesia machine, the airway lab, and preoperative evaluation. These have proven to be very popular for our CA-1 residents and help smooth the transition from their internship to their anesthesia residency.
Ongoing Department Didactics The core of the didactic program is the Residents' Conference, held four times a week (see example schedule). With regular attendance by junior and senior faculty, this seminar series consists of practice oral board exams, presentation of key topics in anesthesia by residents as preparation for in-training exams, and special lectures by faculty in other specialties. These interactive sessions help residents learn to think and apply their knowledge to clinical situations. Another integral part of the education program is the series of Grand Rounds and Quality Improvement Conferences which alternate weekly. Grand Rounds provides a forum for the latest thinking on a wide range of topics in the practice of anesthesia. Quality Improvement conferences, led by Dr. Tung, involve presentation of selected cases by the attendings and residents who performed them, with the goal of identifying optimal methods of case management. Journal Club, held once monthly, involves discussion of the latest advances and research in anesthetic management. A catered ethnic dinner is provided for these sessions. A special feature of our didactic program is the transesophageal echocardiography rotation directed by Dr.Frank Dupont. Many of our residents sit for the TEE certifying exam. The Department is fortunate to have several transesophageal echo machines available for use in the operating rooms, with the entire cardiac anesthesia staff certified in this valuable technique to provide expert guidance to interested residents. The Airway Study and Training Center, under the direction of Dr. Ovassapian, is an educational resource for both basic and advanced airway management and is currently implementing a number of clinical investigations.
In their CA-2 year, residents gain experience in researching, preparing, and presenting a Grand Rounds talk on a topic of their choice under the tutelage of a faculty advisor. This lecture series has consistently produced exceptionally high quality and professional presentations. The Department also sponsors visits by experts, both national and international, who present special lectures. We typically host 12 distinguished visiting professors per year who deliver Grand Rounds, research conferences, and other special lectures. Dinners held for visiting professors provide residents with ample and important opportunities to interact with leaders in the field of anesthesia. The result of this rich and varied didactic program can be best appreciated by noting the strong performance of all residents on the In-Training Exams, and the impressive pass rate on the written board examinations for the past several years. National Conferences Our residents attend a variety of national and regional conferences throughout their three years. About ten residents per year attend the ASA conference. The department's and the entire institution's commitment to education is evidenced by the closing of ORs each year to facilitate our broad attendance. Regional conferences attended by a majority of residents include the Midwest Anesthesia Conference (MAC) and the Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC). Other well-attended conferences are the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) and the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA). Additionally, our department hosts several CME conferences every year; many of our residents participate as lecturers and or workshop instructors.
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