Academic Life

Evaluations
Proper feedback and constructive criticism is essential for all physicians-in-training.  The Department utilizes an internet-based form through the New Innovations system.  Faculty members are encouraged to complete daily evaluations of resident performance.  A summary of the grades and written comments is provided to the resident, Program Director, and Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) on a quarterly basis.  Residents will meet with the Program Director every three months to discuss clinical progress.  The CCC sends a report to the American Board of Anesthesiology every six months.

The Department of Anesthesia encourages feedback from the residents regarding the quality of each component of the residency program.  Every month, the resident is required to complete an evaluation for the prior month’s assigned rotation.  These comments are utilized by the clinical rotation directors to improve the quality of that rotation.  In addition, a comprehensive yearly evaluation of the didactic program is required.   

Evaluations are equally important for our faculty members in order to achieve excellence in teaching.  Residents have the opportunity to complete written evaluations on each attending anesthesiologist twice a year.  These evaluations remain anonymous and are used by the Chairman of the Department for purposes of promotion and incentive awards.

Examinations
Residents will take several written examinations during the course of their training.  To assess adequate progression of clinical and basic science knowledge, the Clinical Competency Committee looks at these scores closely during its meetings.  Our residents are expected to meet the national average for each of these tests. 

Examinations include:

- Anesthesia Knowledge Test (AKT) – taken at 1-, 6-, and 18-month intervals

- ABA/ASA In-Training Exam (ITE) – taken every summer beginning in the CA-1 year

 

Scholarship
The American Board of Anesthesiology mandates the completion of an academic assignment.  These projects may include evidence-based lectures, preparation and publication of review articles, book chapters, manuals for teaching or clinical practice, or similar academic activities.  Alternatively, a resident may elect to develop and perform or participate in one or more clinical or laboratory investigations.  Regardless of the type of project, all residents will present their work at a special Grand Rounds conference during the CA-3 year.

The Department of Anesthesia has a research affiliation with the National Institutes of Health.  Senior residents may elect to spend part of their CA-3 year conducting research with Lance Pohl, Ph.D., in the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology.  Dr. Pohl’s research focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of drug-induced liver disease, such as halothane-induced hepatitis.