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Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Columbia - Training

Training to care for critically ill patients

During the Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program training, care of critically ill patients and procedures are performed under the supervision of program faculty. Gradually increasing levels of responsibility are given to the fellow as their skill level improves and they are deemed competent to independently provide care. 

A weekly meeting with the program director monitors the fellow's progress through the curriculum. The fellow meets with the program director in an interview session bi-monthly to discuss performance and to review clinical caseload, documentation and other pertinent discussion regarding the fellow's training, professional or personal issues.

The surgical critical care fellow is required to take the Adult Multidisciplinary Critical Care Knowledge Assessment Examination and the American Board of Surgery Inservice Training Examination during the academic year.

Suggested texts

  • The ICU Book, 3rd edition; Paul L. Marino, Kenneth M. Sutin.
  • Critical Care, 3rd edition; Joseph M Civetta, Robert W. Taylor, Robert R. Kirby.
  • Surgical Critical Care; Joseph A. Moylan.
  • Pulmonary Physiology and Pathophysiology: An Integrated, Case-Based Approach; John West.
  • Surgical Intensive Care Medicine, 2nd edition; O'Donnell, John M., Nacul, Flavio (Eds.).

Administrative

The SCC fellow will satisfactorily deliver the conferences/schedules to which they have been assigned, as judged by the director and faculty when appropriate (see schedule at the end).

The fellow is responsible for topics presented at each lecture and journal club. However, they may invite a speaker (clinical faculty) to give the lecture.

It is expected that the fellow will maintain and consistently check his/her Prisma Health Outlook email and calendar account. Appointments and communication will occur via this venue, only and it is the responsibility of the fellow to organize rounds and other ICU responsibilities on this calendar as well.

Research/academic

The SCC fellow will attend the Annual Society of Critical Care Medicine Meeting (SCCM) or a similar national meeting devoted to critical care of the surgical patient. Additional meetings may be arranged for research presentations at the discretion of the Chair of the Department of Surgery. 

By June 15, annually, the SCC fellow will deliver one Grand Rounds that meet the following requirements:

  • Topic provided to and discussed with program director at least on month prior to presentation.
  • Evidence based with literature review (best if limited to human, randomized studies. May wish to link this with research project interests).

By August 15, annually identify at least one process improvement project and discuss with program director. This will require participation and certification in LEAN Green Belt for Healthcare. This is a 4–5 day curriculum and the completion of at least one Prisma Health process or quality improvement project (approved by LEAN faculty) is required.

By August 15, annually identify at least one research project of interest and discuss with program director. This process includes the following:

  • Identification of at least one faculty mentor.
  • Submission of a draft research concept (one page maximum) to the program director one month prior to proposed discussion at research conference. Include in this:
    • Project title
    • Mentor(s)
    • Study design
    • Study population, data source(s)
    • Presentation of finalized concept at resident research conference (January–May)
    • IRB approval  
  • Develop an action plan for implementation (should seek counsel from program director).

Mentorship and supervision

The fellow will identify one mentor from the Division of Acute Care Surgery and meet monthly with them to discuss progress, problems, conflicts and career direction.

The fellow should also meet with the SCC program director quarterly to discuss academic and career development.

Rotations

The order of rotations is set yearly pending discussion with faculty of each non-STICU rotation director

Administrative meetings

The SCC fellow will participate in each of the following:

  • Research committee: first Wednesday of every month at 3–4 p.m.; Warren Derrick Room.
  • Multidisciplinary trauma conference: first Wednesday of every month at 4–5 p.m.; Warren Derrick Room.
  • Trauma outcomes and PI: first Wednesday of every month at 5–6 p.m.; Warren Derrick Room.
  • System-wide ICU committee: first Thursday of every month; Bagnal Board Room.

Faculty

Faculty are also expected to fulfill responsibilities to the fellow  as he/she progresses through this academic experience.  Those include, but are not limited to:

  • Appropriate supervision.
  • Consistent discussion on progress, with formative feedback (through mentor, colleague, and program director roles).
  • Complete rotation evaluations in a timely manner.
  • Support scholarly pursuit activities.

Evaluation

The SCC fellow will have the opportunity to evaluate their experience and faculty, based on the objectives outlined here.