Conferences

The development of a resident into a skilled general surgeon requires extensive experience in the operating room as well as a structured academic environment that will provide the knowledge required to make appropriate decisions in patient management in a timely fashion. An extensive academic curriculum has been developed and forms the nidus around which the residents’ knowledge base develops.

Surgical Grand Rounds

On a weekly basis between September and June the Department of Surgery conducts a formal grand rounds conference, held in the hospital auditorium. A variety of topics pertinent to surgeons are presented throughout the year by attending physicians and visiting professors. Visiting professors also interact with the residents at an informal case conference and social gathering the evening prior to the grand rounds presentation. In addition, each chief general surgery resident and specialty surgical resident presents a lecture at this conference. These sessions are extraordinarily well done and are the highlight of the chief resident’s experience as an educator.

Mortality & Morbidity – Matrix Conference

The Surgical Mortality & Morbidity (M&M) Conference is one of the major conferences for the residents and staff of the Department of Surgery. To reach maximum potential as an educational tool, the format of the conference has been structured to use a matrix concept. The senior resident attending the patient at the time of the mortality or morbidity is responsible for the presentation.

At this conference mortalities, as well as significant morbidities, are discussed in the context of the clinical care provided. The audience actively participates in an interchange of opinions and knowledge. Each presentation is referenced to the surgical literature so that the educational experience will be enhanced.

Topics discussed at the M&M conference serve as the matrix for a resident conference the subsequent week. On a rotating basis, each of the resident services is responsible for reviewing the overall pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the morbidities that have been discussed at the prior M&M conference. This technique has been recommended by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as a method whereby the knowledge and information exchanged at the M&M conference serves as a stimulus for education that will improve the care provided to our patients.

Curriculum Conferences

Basic Science and Clinical Curriculum conferences are held weekly. The Basic Science Conference topics are: wound healing, hemostasis, hematologic disorders, oncology, shock, circulatory physiology, surgical microbiology, respiratory physiology, gastrointestinal physiology, genitourinary physiology, surgical endocrinology, surgical nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance, metabolic response to injury including burns, musculoskeletal biomechanics and physiology, immunobiology and transplantation, applied surgical anatomy and surgical pathology. The Clinical Curriculum Conference focuses on the management of surgical disorders by body system. (e.g., gastrointestinal). A review of missed questions from the previous year’s ABSITE exam is included in each session.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

A variety of site-specific tumor board conferences are held throughout the week to discuss the management of newly diagnosed and recurrent cancers. The participants in these conferences include general and specialty surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, and support personnel. Residents may be asked to present cases at these conferences, depending on the particular service or rotation.

Subspecialty Conferences

Vascular Conference - On a weekly basis, interesting cases from the vascular service are presented by the resident staff. Current literature on the topic is reviewed. Members of the Division of Vascular Surgery discuss therapeutic options for clinical treatment. One of these conferences each month is dedicated to Vascular Surgery M&M Conference, using a format similar to that of the departmental M&M conference.

Trauma - Trauma Conference occurs each Wednesday at 0700. All residents on the Trauma Service attend. Each conference has a main focus and includes pediatrics, ortho/neuro/spine trauma, and mortality review.

Journal Club

On a monthly basis pertinent articles selected by the program director are reviewed. Each of six residents is assigned a paper to present to the group. The ensuing discussion is focused on critical review of the construct as well as the content of the article presented.

This conference is intended to reinforce the value of reading the current surgical journals so that the resident will remain a life-long student.

Resident Business Meeting

On a monthly basis the program director meets with the residents as a group to discuss ongoing program management issues. An open forum is maintained so that a free flow of information takes place and serves to improve the overall function of the program.

This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM