Goals

Objectives

Progression

Patient Care

Chief residents will review all ICU, floor and consult patients with the junior residents.  Treatment plans will be made and reviewed by attending staff before implementation.   Be able to perform general neurosurgical procedures with attending supervision.

Progress toward independent practice.

Tools: Biannual evaluations, Surgery Bx Tool

Medical Knowledge

Chief residents should have possess knowledge present in general neurosurgical textbooks such as Youman’s as well as practice guidelines issued by organized neurosurgery.

Progress toward knowledge required for independent practice and successful completion of oral ABNS exam.

Tools:  textbooks, YALE online neurosurgery journals, Cochrane database

Practice Based Learning & Improvement

Chief residents will track their own procedures, complications and outcomes electronically.  These items along with publications, grant applications and reviews will be a added to the residents portfolios

Progress toward independent practice – preparation for re-certification, life-long learning.

Tools:  Portfolio updates, publications

Interpersonal  & Communication
 Skills

 Chief residents will work effectively in this complex environment of patients, families, and multiple levels of health care professionals.
Chief residents will teach at appropriate levels for medical students, interns, residents, nursing and other allied health professionals.

While training is provided by the institution in sexual harassment, diversity, and HIPPA, respect and humanistic interactions with patients are essential.  Effective communication is critical to learning and patient safety.

Tools:  360 evaluations, medical student evaluations, patient questionnaires

Professionalism

This will be a critical theme in most interactions in this institution. Additionally conferences and lectures will periodically address ethics as the major topic.

Progress will be noted from recurrent evaluations

Tools:  biannual evaluations, 360 evaluations

Systems-Based Practice

Neurosurgery requires interacting in a large complex system.  Faculty will mentor chief residents in these areas and discuss as significant topic in most major patient based conferences.

Progress will be noted from recurrent evaluations

Tools:  biannual evaluations, 360 evaluations

Progressive Responsibility:  The chief residents progresses through the year with assuming increasing non-operative and operative responsibility.  The chief resident is responsible for organizing and conducting ICU rounds and floor rounds. Plans are formulated and then implemented with attending approval. All consults are reviewed with the junior residents.  In the operating room, chief residents assume increasing responsibility with vascular, tumor, pediatric, functional, and complex spine.