Conferences

Surgical Education Conference (Grand Rounds)

This will be a 60 minute weekly conference
The first 30 minutes will be lecture and question and answers
The second 30 minutes will be dedicated toward the SCORE curriculum
In every way possible the Grand Rounds lecture will parallel the SCORE curriculum topic for the week
These topics will be on a two year cycle to cover the core content areas of General Surgery
Residents will choose the SCORE module to highlight in the second half of the conference and active audience participation is expected
Weekly self-assessment questions from SCORE will also be reviewed
Competencies covered will include patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement

Morbidity, Mortality, and Improvement (M&M)

This weekly conference focuses on identification of opportunities for improvement
Leads to resident identification of improvement projects to improve patient safety
All resident cases are to be turned in the week prior and tabulated by service
The list will be distributed for review by residents and faculty
The conference leader will predetermine cases to be presented
Those unable to attend will be able to participate via secured audio or video connection
Competencies covered will include patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement

Basic Science Conference

This will follow Surgical Education Conference for one hour every other week
Salient topic of the ACGME guidelines and includes: applied surgical anatomy and surgical pathology; the elements of wound healing; homeostasis, shock and circulatory physiology; hematologic disorders; immunobiology and transplantation; oncology; surgical endocrinology; surgical nutrition, fluid and electrolyte balance; and the metabolic response to injury, including burns
We intend to cover the basic science topics on a two-year cycle
Textbook will be electronically provided through the SCORE portal - Surgery: Basic Science and Clinical Evidence, 2nd edition Editors: Jeffrey A. Norton, MD, FACS; et.al.
Competencies covered will include patient care, medical knowledge, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement

Skills/Simulation Lab Conference

This will alternate with the basic science conference every other week
The curriculum follows the American College of Surgeons and the Association of Program Directors in Surgery structures
All interns and residents are expected to be involved with simulation
Skills area that is accessible to the residents 24/7 to practice in between formal conferences
Level 1 includes 20 modules that address basic surgical skills
Level 2 includes 15 modules that address advanced skills and procedures
Level 3 includes 10 modules that address team-based skills
Competencies covered will include patient care, medical knowledge, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, and interpersonal and communication skills

Walking Ward Rounds

This general surgery conference will occur twice a month.
Care on the wards is a focal point of surgical inpatient care.
Ward-based care plays a key role in surgical education.
Assimilating various sources of clinical information is necessary for thorough patient assessment during the care of surgical patients.
The specific aim is to improve patient management through timely investigations, surgical treatment and discharge.
Appropriate history, physical, laboratory, radiological findings, surgical plan will be presented of 2-3 patients by the junior house staff to more senior residents and attendings.
It will be expected that there will be detailed interaction among all levels and appropriate level questions of the disease process, findings, surgical plan and alternatives.

Clinical Case Conference

This conference will occur twice a month, from September - May
This will be an open forum in which oral board-type scenarios are introduced, and residents can demonstrate their knowledge in a collaborate environment.
Feedback on style, content, and presentation of answers is instantaneous and collected not only by the faculty mentor, but also by the other residents in the room.

Mock Oral Boards

This conference will take place twice a month for senior-level residents.
There will be two residents asked two questions each, each question having a 7-minute time limit.
There will be time for debrief and input after one resident has completed two questions.
We will attempt to spread out the topics over the course of the exam sessions.

Vascular Conference

We will present upcoming cases and look for consensus on treatment options.
Attended by residents on the Vascular Surgery Service, occurs once a month.
Will be largely data driven decision making.
Competencies covered will include patient care, medical knowledge, systems-based practice, interpersonal and communication skills.

GI Tumor Board

Attended by residents on the General Surgery service, as well as surgeons, pathology, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other internists.
Discuss multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.
Tumor characteristics, pre-treatment evaluation, staging, treatment plans, and enrollment in a clinical trial are issues commonly discussed.

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