Residency Training in General Surgery

VASCULAR SURGERY: Goals and Objectives

Educational goals and objectives for 1st-, 4th- and 5th-year residents rotating on the vascular surgery service at Winthrop–University Hospital:

PATIENT CARE

Residents must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. Residents are expected to:

n communicate effectively and demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families
n gather essential and accurate information about their patients pertinent o vascular disease
n make informed decisions about vascular diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on patient information and preferences, up-to-date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
n develop and carry out patient management plans for the management of vascular disease
n counsel and educate patients and their families in regard to vascular disorders
n use information technology to support patient care decisions and patient education
n perform competently medical and basic interventions considered essential for the management of vascular disease
n provide health care services aimed at preventing vascular disease
n work with health care professionals, including those from other disciplines, to provide patient-focused care

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE

Residents must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving biomedical, clinical, and epidemiological sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care. Residents are expected to:

n demonstrate an investigatory and analytic thinking approach to clinical situations in patients with vascular disease
n know and apply the basic and clinically supportive sciences appropriate to the management of vascular disease

PRACTICE-BASED LEARNING AND IMPROVEMENT

Residents must be able to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and improve their patient care practices. Residents are expected to:

n analyze practice experience and perform practice-based improvement activities using a systematic methodology
n locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to vascular disease
n obtain and use information about patients with vascular disease
n apply knowledge of study designs and statistical methods to the appraisal of clinical studies of vascular diseases
n use information technology to manage information, access on-line medical information; and support their own education
n facilitate the learning of students and other health care professionals related to vascular disease

INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Residents must be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their patients families, and professional associates. Residents are expected to:

n create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients
n use effective listening skills and elicit and provide information using effective nonverbal, explanatory, questioning, and writing skills
n work effectively with others as a member or leader of a health care team or other professional group

PROFESSIONALISM

Residents must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population. Residents are expected to:

n demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that supercedes self-interest; accountability to patients, society, and the profession; and a commitment to excellence and on-going professional development
n demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practices
n demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patients' culture, age, gender, and disabilities

SYSTEMS-BASED PRACTICE

Residents must demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide optimal care of patients with vascular disease. Residents are expected to:

n understand how their patient care and other professional practices affect other health care professionals, the health care organization, and the larger society and how these elements of the system affect their own practice
n know how types of medical practice and delivery systems differ from one another, including methods of controlling health care costs and allocating resources
n practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care
n advocate for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities
n know how to partner with health care managers and health care providers to assess, coordinate, and improve health care and know how these activities can affect system performance