Policies and Procedures

An essential tool for any surgical specialist is the basic knowledge of the field including both basic and clinical science. A standardized method of evaluating this basic fund of knowledge is the American Board of Surgery In-training Exam. This exam is administered the last Saturday in January each year.  Residents are expected to perform at least above the 35^th percentile on this exam. If the resident does not meet this requirement but is performing well in the clinical arena and has otherwise demonstrated a high degree of commitment, they will attend mandatory review sessions called the ABSITE Club for the subsequent year. Our interns participate in the ABSITE Club to help prepare them for the exam. For performance under the 35^th percentile, we may also assign a tutor from our surgical faculty who will set up a study program for the resident. If on the subsequent exam the resident again fails to achieve a score above the 35^th percentile, the department's residency review committee may recommend additional remedial actions. Overall clinical performance is taken into consideration when taking action.

The ability to be able to understand the methodology and preparation of a scientific paper is important if the resident is to be able to critically review the surgical literature. To this end, each categorical resident is expected to prepare at least one scientific paper suitable for publication during his/her residency. Prior to the beginning of the third year of categorical surgical training, the resident will prepare a research proposal; this may be in the nature of original work or a clinical review and submit it to the Program director. It is expected that the abstract and manuscript will be completed before advancement to the final year of surgical training.

Residents in good standing will be funded to attend a professional meeting in their final year of training. Attendance at other meetings will be funded if the resident is making a presentation. The travel section details procedures to follow for department travel.

All residents are required to maintain their advanced cardiac life support provider verification. Certification is offered several times each year by the Center for Continuing Education. It is the responsibility of the resident to schedule the initial life support program with the Continuing Education Offices as well as any updating courses, which is every two years. Renewal should occur within three months of the expiration date on the advanced cardiac life support card. Renewal can be accomplished in a half-day session. Failure to renew within this time frame results in the individual taking the entire two-day course. The department will pay for the initial course. At the time of re-verification, the department will pay the re-verification course fee only.

Advanced trauma life support is conducted for first year house officers annually, usually in late August. Re-verification of the advanced trauma life support provider status must be done every four years. It is the responsibility of the resident to re-verify within three months of the expiration date on the card. Failure to re-verify by taking the 4-hour class will result in the entire course being repeated. At the time of re-verification, the department will pay the re-verification course fee only. Re-verification can be done the second day of any 2-day provider class offered by the department.

Operative experience must be tracked on a continuous basis for all house officers in the program. This information is necessary for following the trainee’s progress, meeting the residency review committee requirements, and allowing the individual to qualify for the American Board of Surgery application. The program utilizes the ACGME’s online resident case log system to report accumulated resident case information. All case information must be entered on a monthly basis.

Each applicant must submit a tabulation of the operative procedures performed as a chief resident, junior resident, first assistant or teaching assistant. Credit may be claimed as surgeon when the resident has actively participated in the patient's care; has made or confirmed the diagnosis; participated in selection of the appropriate operative procedure; has either performed or been responsibly involved in performing the critical portions of the operative procedure; and has been a responsible participant in both pre- and post-operative care. 

The number of patients with multiple organ traumas for whom an operation was not required and the number of patients with critical surgical problems for whom they had primary responsibility must also be listed. Applicants for American Board of Surgery certification examination must meet the guidelines recommended by the residency review committee: minimum of 850 procedures in five years and a minimum of 200 procedures in the chief year. This must include operative experience in each of the areas of primary responsibility.