Orientation Period
The first year of clinical anesthesiology training begins with a month long orientation period. Highlights of the orientation period include:
- Pairing with senior resident for operating room experience
- Simulation
- Boot camp educational curriculum
- Focused didactic series
- No call responsibilities to allow residents to become familiar with the clinical setting prior to assuming call duties
At the end of the first month, residents begin working on their own in the operating room with continued assistance from senior resident preceptors and very close faculty supervision. This system eases transition to operative patient care.
CA1 Year Following Orientation Period
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Gynecologic Surgery, General Surgery, and Orthopedic Surgery
During month long rotations at University Hospital, residents gain experience with these elective procedures, as well as with renal, liver, and pancreas transplants and emergent procedures for trauma. UAB is one of the busiest transplant hospitals in the area and is a Level 1 Trauma Center serving the entire state.
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Inpatient Pain Service/Regional Anesthesiology Service
Pain management and regional anesthetic techniques for orthopedic, general, gynecologic procedures, and vascular surgery procedures will be learned. Residents will assist with Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
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Obstetric Anesthesiology
Residents gain experience in management of routine and complex obstetric cases.
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Regional Anesthesiology
Residents perform central neuraxial, upper, and lower extremity nerve blocks for perioperative management of patients undergoing both inpatient and outpatient procedures.
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Preoperative Assessment Clinic
Residents learn comprehensive preoperative evaluation for surgical patients, providing a consultant level assessment and perioperative optimization for each patient.
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Critical Care Medicine
In the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, residents learn management of critically ill patients following complex surgical procedures, developing an understanding of the pathophysiology of acute surgical illness within a health care team including senior residents, fellows, and anesthesiology faculty intensivists.
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Veteran's Affairs Hospital
Resident experience includes general surgical experience, as well as neurosurgical, cardiovascular, thoracic, and vascular procedures.
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Didactics
For CA1’s, a unique curriculum is provided in addition to department wide conferences. This consists of virtual lessons and faculty lead small group discussions, focusing on a different topic weekly, combined with Clinical Professor Workshops and small group sessions to facilitate preparation for the Basic Exam.
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Simulation
CA1 simulations sessions include a refresher on CVL placement, high-fidelity immersive simulations in both operative and perioperative settings, ABA OSCE Preparation, and training in ultrasound and echocardiography using state-of-the-art simulators
As they complete their CA1 experience, residents have become confident in the management of routine cases in both healthy patients and those with significant illness and are well prepared for the Basic Exam. They will have gained knowledge and experience in performing quality improvement and patient safety, and have met or exceeded required case numbers in several areas. In addition, each resident will complete one subspecialty rotation as a CA1.