PG-2 - Clinical Anesthesia years 1-3

PG-2 - Clinical Anesthesia years 1-3

We offer all the sub-specialty rotations required by the American Board of Anesthesiology, including critical care and pain management. Aside from teaching the technical aspects of anesthesiology, the attending staff is committed to providing residents with the comprehensive, theoretical knowledge they need to meet the challenges of anesthesia practice and to successfully complete the American Board of Anesthesiology written and oral examinations. This is accomplished through active participation in basic science and clinical research, presentation and discussion of clinical cases, didactic lecturing, rigorous operating room teaching and progressive growth in clinical responsibility for patient care.

Due to the size and quality of our attending staff, we are able to offer a nurturing environment, which includes a mentorship program lasting the duration of your training. We also participate in all of the professional activities of the anesthesiology societies. Residents are encouraged and financially supported in these activities.

Curriculum
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anesthesia
Residents rotate through the cardiovascular and thoracic anesthesia service for a minimum of three months each year. During this time they are exposed to patient management experience, which includes evaluation and preparation of a patient prior to surgery and active participation post-operatively. In their PG-4 year, residents do a one-month rotation at Advocate Christ Medical Center

Critical Care Anesthesia
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is a Level 1 trauma center. Anesthesia residents are active members of the trauma/critical care team. The residents manage the critical care patients in intensive care units including surgical heart unit. Residents manage patients as determined by senior members of the team, and are encouraged to insert invasive lines and chest tubes.

Pain Service
Residents have the opportunity to become familiar with various methods of diagnosis and treatment of diverse pain syndromes. Residents also become familiar with the range of resources offered by a pain management center and how anesthesiology serves as the integral central factor in a multidisciplinary approach to pain control.

Obstetrical Anesthesia
As a Level III perinatal center, Illinois Masonic obstetrical anesthesia residents gain experience in general and regional anesthesia, including spinal, intrathecal narcotics and epidural analgesia. Residents also gain experience in emergency anesthetic management such as obstetrical hemorrhage and fetal distress.

Pediatric Anesthesia
Residents receive training in pediatric anesthesia both at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center and during a special three-month rotation at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. A full spectrum of pediatric patients, from premature babies to 18-year-olds, are seen. All cases are considered teaching cases, and each resident gains significant hands-on experience. Our program is known for its publications in major pediatric anesthesia textbooks and journals.

Neurosurgical Anesthesia
Anesthesia residents develop hands-on experience in the perioperative management of neurosurgical patients. Residents become proficient in the management of cases done in a variety of positions. They also are actively involved in the critical care management of head and spinal cord trauma patients.

Airway Management
All residents have at least a one-month rotation in fiberoptic intubation. Initially, the resident is trained to use the fiberoptic bronchoscope on normal airways in anesthetized patients. Further, the resident will use alternative methods to intubate patients (Combitubes, LMA, Bullard laryngoscope, etc.). After mastering the normal airway, the resident will be called upon to perform fiberoptic intubations on difficult or expected difficult airways.

Post-Anesthesia Care
During this rotation, special emphasis is placed on developing skills to clinically recognize and treat postoperative complications. Resident responsibilities include: monitoring patients recovering from anesthesia, acute postoperative pain management, treatment of nausea and vomiting, and the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative complications in coordination with the attending anesthesiologist in charge of the case.

Didactic Instruction
Attending physicians and guest lecturers provide didactic instruction at daily conferences. Residents regularly give presentations to the faculty and their peers. Clinical Anesthesia Conferences provide case-analysis instruction and stress resident presentation and discussion. Quality Assurance Conferences involve the discussion and analysis of every anesthetic complication that occurred during the previous month. Guest speakers also host intensive workshops several times each year. The department also sponsors two Board Review Courses each spring.

Clinical Scientist Track
During their senior year, residents have the option of pursing a period of intensive research. The anesthesia research track is a six-month period of laboratory animal work performed under the guidance of a departmental physiologist. Residents electing this rotation are encouraged to submit their projects for presentation at national meetings and for publication in journals.