Surgical Education

Clinical Rotations

Didactic Sessions

• Lectures, seminars and laboratories have been designed to provide PG PA with a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of surgical disease processes extending over the course of 12 months.
• Instruction will cover general surgery and subspecialty topics. Emphasis will be placed on the perioperative management of surgical patients including fluids and electrolytes, hyperalimentation, acid/base balance, surgical emergencies, complications, and evaluation of specific organ systems using lectures and mock scenarios.
• Skills laboratories will include instruction and practice time for such skills as wound closure, chest tube placement, thoracentesis, endoscopic vein harvesting, placement of central/peripheral lines, etc.
• In addition to classroom/laboratory instruction, the didactic curriculum will include weekly Attending Rounds, Grand Rounds, M&M Conference and other conferences organized by the Department of Surgery.
• The initial didactic curriculum will conclude with preparation for clinical rotations. Time is designated for "rounding" with the surgical team and becoming familiar with the routine of the surgical services before assuming clinical responsibilities.

Core Basic Science and Non-Clinical Lectures

• Vents/ABGs
• Diabetes
• TPN
• Fluid/Electrolytes
• Renal failure
• Surgical complications
• Lab interpretation
• Cardiac
• Ionotropic support 

Skills Labs

• ATLS - 2-day course (audit course)
• OR etiquette, gown, glove, and pt prep, sterile technique
• Knot tying
• Skin incisions / suture material
• NG tubes / Gtubes / PEGs, and chest tubes
• Surgical drains, uses and removal
• Closure techniques / Surgical instrumentation / Burn Surgery Intro (dermatomes, biological dressing applications) / Vac application
• Central lines - insertion and removal
• Basic principles of laparoscopy
• Endoscopy simulator
• EGD, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy labs
• Respiratory: Ventilators and ABG's