Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship Curriculum

Summary

The year-long MIS fellowship begins August 1 and continues through July 31 of the following year.

• 80% clinical activity-The total number of cases completed by the fellow per year is 250. 
• 20% research

The fellow will participate in an excellent training experience that is spent primarily in general surgery performing a variety of foregut and hindgut procedures such as:

• abdominal wall reconstruction
• inguinal and ventral hernia repair
• paraesophageal hernia repair
• bariatric surgery
• adrenal surgery
• colorectal surgery
• NOTES and endoluminal surgery

The fellow will also have adequate time to prepare for the general surgery board exam.

Goals

Pre-Operative Care

• The fellow is expected to attend the outpatient office hours (Wednesday each week) of the fellowship director. The fellow may also attend office hours of other teaching staff.
• The fellow is expected to meet the patient in the holding area prior to going into the operating room, review the chart and pertinent study results.

Operative Experience/Technical Skills

• The fellow will review the operative schedule daily.
• The fellow may take either the teaching or second assistant role depending on the level of resident present.

Post-Operative Care

• The fellow maintains a working relationship with the core general surgery residents and surgical attendings.
• Any changes or suggestions by the fellow in the care plan will be discussed with the attending surgeon and/or chief resident prior to implementation.

Educational Components

• The fellow must practice advanced skills regularly both in the animate and inanimate laboratories.
• Review of current literature/textbooks/videos is encouraged.
• The fellow should review operative videos within one week of operation
• The fellow will participate in courses for residents and surgeons and attend scheduled MIS conferences, surgical morbidity and mortality conferences, surgical grand rounds.

Evaluation

• The fellow will undergo a formal evaluation by the fellowship director on a quarterly basis.
• Monthly meetings regarding operational issues with the fellowship will take place with the fellow and director.

Research

• Complete the CITI program that provides clinicians information on ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. This is required to perform research at Baystate Medical Center.
• The program fosters an environment which promotes new knowledge and evaluation of research findings.
• Attendance at the annual meeting of the Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) is expected.
• The fellow will be required to submit at least two manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals.

Attending/Call Responsibilities

There is attending call in general surgery (3 per month) to allow for a different interaction with the residents, expand the teaching capabilities of the fellow, and learn about the business aspects of surgical practice. The MIS fellow has the opportunity to take Trauma call but this is not required. Moonlighting opportunities exist at other Baystate facilities as long as they do not interfere with the educational experience of the fellow.