Course List

Course Description:

Foundations in Clinical Science incorporates all the relevant anatomy, physiology and pharmacology concepts required for more advanced coursework in applied anesthesia. Coursework includes a thorough review of cellular and organ system physiology, introduction to pharmacology (-kinetics, -dynamics, -genomics, and signal transduction), and anatomy of the upper respiratory tract.

Summary:

This coursework covers normal human anatomy and physiology pertinent to anesthesia practice as well as basic knowledge of pharmacology.

Course Description:

Foundations in Clinical Practice provides students with an overview of healthcare system elements necessary for the treatment of patients and the conduct of anesthesia care. Topics include patient and provider safety, common laboratory and diagnostic studies in healthcare, medical documentation, and infection control issues.

Summary:

Here, students are introduced to the healthcare environment through lectures and lab exercises. The course is designed to familiarize students with common care practices in anesthesia and healthcare.

Course Description:

Foundations in Anesthesia provides the learner with an introduction to anesthesia concepts. Beginning with an overview of the physiology of pain and the response to surgical stress, the course informs on the various anesthesia techniques employed to anesthetize the surgical patient. Therapeutic targets are discussed along with the practical aspects of intravenous fluid therapy and blood transfusions. 

Summary:

Now information becomes more specific to anesthesia. Students will learn basic practices and principles in anesthesia care including foundations in general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, volume management, and pharmacology.

Course Description:

Physics and Delivery Systems for Anesthesia reviews relevant physical principles involved in the delivery of anesthesia and in the care of surgical patient. Additionally, this course instructs on the mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components of anesthesia monitoring and delivery systems. Applications to practice such as pre-use safety checks are included.

Summary:

Physics and Delivery systems covers relevant physical principles applied in both physiology and anesthesia technology. On top of that, the anesthesia machine and ventilators are discussed in depth as well as an introduction to patient monitors. Coursework is combined between lectures, laboratory, and small group sessions.

Course Description:

Patient Assessment I prepares the student to perform a preoperative interview including a focused preoperative medical history and physical exam. Students will practice interviewing skills and performing cardiac, pulmonary, and airway exams. Application of findings and appropriate use of expert consultants are discussed. Since this course draws heavily upon foundational anatomy and physiology knowledge, satisfactory participation of ANE 501 is required.

Summary:

Students will learn the how to conduct a proper and thorough preoperative exam as they would perform in the hospital. Using both lectures and patient actors for knowledge and skill training, students will be prepared to interview and examine their patients.

Course Description:

Planning and Preparation I is designed to prepare students for care of the healthy surgical patient while focusing on the knowledge and skills necessary to formulate, organize, prepare, and implement an anesthetic plan. An emphasis is placed on anesthesia mechanical ventilators and basic, non-invasive monitoring modalities which comply with the American Society of Anesthesiologists STANDARDS FOR BASIC ANESTHETIC MONITORING.

Summary:

Patient monitoring technology is a main focus in this course while also including preparation of drugs, airway devices, and other tools needed to be fully prepared to manage an average anesthetic.

Course Description:

Implementation and Management I is designed to develop anesthesia knowledge sufficient to adequately perform a basic, yet complete anesthetic on a healthy patient for non-complicated surgical procedures of limited invasiveness. Course material is designed to integrate with a student’s existing understanding of physiology, patient assessment, and physiologic monitoring. Anesthesia pharmacology, practical skills, detection and management of common intraoperative pathological conditions, and postoperative complications are included.

Summary:

Students learn the sequence and practice of anesthetic events common to non-complicated surgical procedures.  Patient assessment, pharmacology, and perioperative management specific to a basic anesthetic will be integrated into the lecture topics.

Course Description:

In Anesthesia Simulation 1, learners will develop and apply real-time monitoring and decision-making skills necessary for supervised clinical education. The learner will apply foundational concepts in practice using high-fidelity simulation, task trainers, and intraoperative equipment. Airway skills, intraoperative diagnostic laboratory analysis, and physiologic monitoring will be incorporated into the course activities to create a foundational knowledge of monitored anesthesia care and general anesthesia.

Summary:

This hands-on course is designed to develop skills and apply concepts learned in concurrent lecture series. In a simulated OR setting and in small group exercises, students will learn foundational skills and knowledge of performing a basic anesthetic.

Course Description:

Professionalism I prepares the student for participation in supervised clinical education by providing a foundation in the ethical, legal, cultural, and professional issues involved in modern anesthesia care.

Summary:

The first Professionalism course instills ideas of proper behavior and integrity in the anesthesia profession to ensure students are ready to begin clinical training.

Course Description:

Patient Assessment II is a continuation of Patient Assessment I. This course furthers the student’s understanding and ability to perform preoperative assessments on patients with both simple and complex medical conditions ranging from mild to severe. Pathophysiology and common pharmacotherapy are presented including perioperative implications. Application of findings to anesthesia planning and appropriate use of expert consultants are discussed.

Summary:

Now that students have learned how to interview and examine the average patient, in this course they will learn how to interview and examine patients with various diseases and conditions. Learning will include with both lectures and patient actors to develop skills.

Course Description:

Planning and Preparation II is a continuation of ANE 531. This course focuses on the equipment and techniques necessary for advanced anesthesia practice. The application of monitoring data in the detection and management of circulatory and neurologic dysfunction, special monitoring situations, and difficult airway management are thoroughly discussed. Preparation of equipment and coordination of personnel and resources are also included.

Summary:

More advanced anesthesia and medical technologies are discuss in the course as well as the disease states and surgeries they might be used in. Management and interpretation of complex patients, advance monitors, and complex surgeries is also included.

Course Description:

Implementation and Management II is continuation of ANE 541. The course focuses on the anesthetic implications and key intraoperative management issues related to surgery and associated patient coexisting diseases.  Course activities will provide the learner with the requisite knowledge to adequately manage anesthetics for a wide range of surgical interventions.

Summary:

As a step-up from the management of a healthy patient, in this course students will learn how to manage more unhealthy patients and more complicated surgeries.

Course Description:

Anesthesia Simulation II is a continuation of ANE 551. In this course, learners will develop and apply advanced, real-time monitoring and decision-making skills necessary for advanced supervised clinical education. The learner will apply foundational and advanced concepts in practice using high-fidelity simulation, task trainers, and intraoperative equipment. Advanced airway skills, intraoperative diagnostic laboratory analysis, and advanced physiologic monitoring will be incorporated into the course activities to support a wide variety of simulated comorbidities and perioperative complications.

Summary:

It is time to learn to handle an unhealthier patient and more difficult procedures. This hands-on course employs small group exercises and OR simulation for patients that present with various or multiple disease states. Complex surgeries and complex patients are now managed by students.

Course Description:

This course includes two aims: 1) The course provides and overview of the various professional organizations which support anesthesiologist assistant practice including opportunities for support and participation and 2) The importance of incorporating best-practices into the development of routines and regimens commonly employed in the perioperative setting. The course includes a project-based activity designed to further the learners understanding of advocacy, service, and research in anesthesia.

Summary:

Utilizing lectures, students learn the function and importance of organizations that support the profession. In a project, students will evaluate and understand literature in anesthesia care and the importance of continuous education to maintain safe practice throughout their careers.

Course Description:

In Clinical Anesthesia 1, learners will and apply real-time monitoring and decision-making skills in supervised clinical education. The learner will apply foundational concepts in practice within the perioperative setting. Airway skills, intraoperative diagnostic laboratory analysis, and physiologic monitoring will be incorporated for use during supervised patient care in monitored anesthesia care and general anesthesia.

Summary:

Students will now work with real patients in real operating rooms receiving real anesthesia. Using the skills and knowledge obtained from the first semester, students will be expected to apply those items to care of real patients under supervision of licensed anesthesia providers.

Course Description:

Subspecialty Practice provides learner with foundational knowledge relevant to subspecialty practice, but may also be encountered in general supervised clinical learning including pediatric preoperative assessment, care of the gravid patient for non-obstetric procedures, and post-anesthesia care unit care. A review of the various knowledge components needed to manage anesthesia crisis is also included.

Summary:

So students have learned about healthy patients and unhealthy patients but what about different specialty patients? In this course, learning centers around groups such as pediatrics, pregnant patients, post-operative care, as well as managing patients in a life-threatening state.

Course Description:

Anesthesia Simulation III is a continuation of ANE 552 and is divided into three areas of skill development: Crisis Management, Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring, and Regional Anesthesia. Crisis management with involve learners the management of life-threatening crisis in anesthesia care including anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, perioperative myocardial infarction, massive hemorrhage, and cardiac arrhythmias. During the invasive hemodynamic monitoring portion of the course, learners will practice and demonstrate insertion of central venous and pulmonary artery catheters. The regional anesthesia area will provide learners an opportunity to practice and demonstrate common regional anesthesia techniques including intravenous regional anesthesia, neuraxial anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks.

Summary:

What role does anesthesia play when a patient has a life-threatening critical event in the OR? In this hands-on course, students will be placed in those situations in an OR simulator and learn to recognize and respond to them. Also, this course allows students to develop skills with the placement of invasive monitors and regional techniques.

Course Description:

This course introduces the learner to the tenets of systems-based practice as defined by the ACGME for Anesthesiology, practice management issues of facing today’s anesthesia providers, and professional issues that will aid in the transition from trainee to licensed provider. Topics include aligning personal career goals with the goals of potential employer organizations, how to conduct an effect job search, and the basics for understanding the compensation and benefits commonly available to anesthesiologist assistants.
 
Summary:

Life after anesthesia school is something students need to be prepared for. Learning will include discussing the transition to a full practitioner as well as ways to make students good candidates and what to look for in a good employer.

Course Description:

Clinical Anesthesia II is a continuation of ANE 571. In this course, learners will develop and apply advanced, real-time monitoring and decision-making skills necessary during supervised clinical education. Introduction to advanced airway skills, continuation of intraoperative diagnostic laboratory analysis, and exposure to advanced physiologic monitoring will be incorporated into clinical learning.

Summary:

Students continue to grow in aptitude and knowledge within the OR environment. Students increase skills in airway management as well as in understanding, treating, and recognizing physiological changes in their patients.

Course Description:

This course introduces the learner to career development strategies. Topics include participation in career development activities and maturation into mentoring, supporting, and educating anesthesiologist assistant students. Furthermore, learners will foster goals and strategies to promote the profession and how to become future leaders in the anesthesiologist assistant community.

Summary:

The final stages of development into a truly dedicated anesthesiologist assistant occur here. Learners develop the ideals to become true professionals and future teachers and leaders as their education nears completion.

Course Description:

Clinical Anesthesia within the final year of training involves more sub-specialty training. Specialty rotations include pediatric, obstetric, cardiac, thoracic, trauma, and neuro anesthesia. General rotations are also involved in this course. Learners will develop autonomy and ability in anesthesia practice with the goal to become a competent and safe provider in all areas of anesthesia practice and surgical procedures.

Summary:

This is a course that transitions students into clinical providers. Mastery of basic anesthesia skills and familiarity and proficiency in various areas of advanced anesthesia practice are developed and implemented.

Course Description:

Clinical Anesthesia within the final year of training involves more sub-specialty training. Specialty rotations include pediatric, obstetric, cardiac, thoracic, trauma, and neuro anesthesia. General rotations are also involved in this course. Learners will develop autonomy and ability in anesthesia practice with the goal to become a competent and safe provider in all areas of anesthesia practice and surgical procedures.

Summary:

This is a course that transitions students into clinical providers. Mastery of basic anesthesia skills and familiarity and proficiency in various areas of advanced anesthesia practice are developed and implemented.

Course Description:

Research has demonstrated that reflective practice is an effective means to foster improved performance and quality outcomes. This course will provide learners with the structure and framework to critically evaluate their own performance in anesthesia care, identify learning needs, establish action plans for improvement, and monitor their progress.

Summary:

During advanced clinical training in semesters 4 and 5, often the greatest evaluators of student strength and weakness are the students themselves. This course is designed for students to reflect on their development and address areas of weakness to be a well-rounded and competent anesthetist upon graduation.

Course Description:

Research has demonstrated that reflective practice is an effective means to foster improved performance and quality outcomes. This course will provide learners with the structure and framework to critically evaluate their own performance in anesthesia care, identify learning needs, establish action plans for improvement, and monitor their progress.

Summary:

During advanced clinical training in semesters 4 and 5, often the greatest evaluators of student strength and weakness are the students themselves. This course is designed for students to reflect on their development and address areas of weakness to be a well-rounded and competent anesthetist upon graduation.