Program Curriculum
The goal of the surgical residency program is to prepare the resident to function as a qualified practitioner of surgery at the advanced level of performance expected of a board-certified specialist. The education encompasses both didactic instructions in the basic and clinical sciences of surgical diseases and conditions, as well as education in procedural skills and operative techniques. The educational process will lead to the acquisition of appropriate knowledge and technical skills, the ability to integrate the acquired knowledge into the clinical situation, and the development of surgical judgment. The residency program is five clinical years and admission prerequisites are as outlined in the institutional requirements.
The American Board of Surgery considers general surgery to be a discipline that encompasses:
- Alimentary tract (including bariatric surgery)
- Abdomen wall and its contents
- Breast, skin and soft tissue
- Endocrine system
- Solid organ transplantation
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical critical care
- Surgical oncology (including head and neck surgery)
- Trauma and emergency surgery
- Vascular surgery
The expected knowledge and performance of the certified surgeon is as follows:
- Comprehensive clinical knowledge within each area listed, to include epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, clinical presentation, and pathology (including neoplasia).
- Knowledge of the scientific foundations in all areas, including wound healing; infection; fluid management; shock and resuscitation; immunology; antibiotic usage; metabolism; and use of enteral and parenteral nutrition.
- Experience and skill in the clinical evaluation, appropriate use of radiologic imaging, and management of diseases within these areas, including diagnosis; indications for surgery and non-surgical treatment; perioperative, operative and postoperative care; and the management of comorbidities and complications.
- Extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in these areas, including basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures.
- Substantial experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and bronchoscopy .
The following specialty areas are independent of general surgery; however the certified general surgeon is expected to be familiar with their common diseases and operative techniques.
- Bariatric surgery
- Solid organ transplantation
- Pediatric surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Vascular surgery
The certified general surgeon is expected to be able to recognize and provide early management and appropriate referral for urgent and emergent problems in the surgical fields of:
- Gynecology
- Urology
- Orthopedic injuries
- Hand surgery
The certified general surgeon is expected to have knowledge of and experience in the following specific areas:
- Resuscitation of critically ill patients, including trauma victims.
- Airway intubation, both urgent and elective.
- Conscious sedation.
- Diagnostic ultrasonography, particularly of the following areas; thyroid and parathyroid, breast, abdomen including intraoperative and laparoscopic ultrasonography, endorectal, trauma including Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma.
- Non-invasive diagnostic evaluation of the vascular system.
- Sentinel lymph node mapping for breast cancer and melanoma.
The certified general surgeon is expected to have knowledge and skills in the management and team-based interdisciplinary care of the following specific patient groups:
- Terminally ill patients, to include palliative care and management of pain, weight loss, and cachexia in patients with malignant and chronic conditions.
- Morbidly obese patients, to include metabolic derangements, weight-loss surgery and the counseling of patients and families.
- Geriatric surgical patients, to include operative and non-operative care, management of co-morbid chronic diseases, and the counseling of patients and families.
- Culturally diverse group of patients.