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Education & Fellowships
The Cardiothoracic Surgery Training Program
Program Overview
Introductory First Year
The primary objectives of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Training Program are:
- Patient Care
- Resident education
- Graded responsibility for the trainee with close faculty supervision
These objectives are accomplished with an introductory year, followed by two years that count toward Board certification. Residents entering the program with varying levels of knowledge and technical skill; therefore, in the introductory year they are familiarized with the basic concepts and techniques many of which are unique to cardiothoracic surgery.
This introductory year begins at USC University Hospital under the supervision of the Program Director and the Director of General Thoracic surgery. Residents spend a minimum of six months learning the basic skills of surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, vascular anastomic techniques, and the latest approaches to minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery. There is also exposure to all aspects of general thoracic surgery with a strong emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal disease.
With the basic skills mastered, the residents are prepared to assume greater responsibility at the other training sites affiliated with the program. This approach has provided a structured, non-threatening learning environment for our residents, and has simultaneously ensured optimal patient care.
Two Residency Training Years
The goals for the two years residency training are to:
- Establish a strong foundation of basic knowledge for each resident
- Train each resident to reach their full technical potential
- Develop in each resident the overall competency and confidence to practice cardiothoracic surgery independently
The teaching of basic concepts is accomplished through learning sessions based on a core curriculum of cardiothoracic topics. In addition to lectures given by the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, faculty is selected from experts that cross the spectrum of subspecialty caring for cardiothoracic patients. The course outline has been adopted from the Thoracic Surgeons Directors Association (TSDA).
Chest Wall
- Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology
- Acquired Abnormalities and Neoplasms
- Congenital Abnormalities and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Lungs and Pleura
- Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology and Testing
- Non-Neoplastic Lung Disease
- Neoplastic Lung Disease
- Congenital Lung Disease
- Diseases of the Pleura
Tracheal and Bronchi
- Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology
- Congenital and Acquired Abnormalities
- Neoplasms
Mediastinum
- Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology
- Congenital Abnormalities of the Mediastinum
- Acquired Abnormalities of the Mediastinum
- Congenital and Acquired Abnormalities of the Pericardium
Diaphragm
- Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology
- Acquired Abnormalities, Neoplasms
- Congenital Abnormalities
Esophagus
- Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology
- Congenital Abnormalities
- Acquired Abnormalities
- Neoplasms
Congenital Heart Disease
- Embryology, Anatomy and History
- Physiology and Physiologic Evaluation
- Cardiopulmonary Bypass for Operations on Congenital Cardiac Anomalies
- Left-to-Right Shunts
- Cyanotic Anomalies
- Obstructive anomalies
- Miscellaneous Anomalies
- Principles of Postoperative Care
Acquired Heart Disease
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Myocarditis, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac Tumors
- Abnormalities of the Aorta
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Valvular Heart Disease
Thoracic Trauma
- Trauma of the Chest Wall
- Tracheobronchial and Pulmonary Trauma
- Esophageal Trauma
- Diaphragmatic Trauma
- Cardiovascular Trauma
Transplantation
- Cardiac Transplantation
- Lung Transplantation
- Heart-Lung Transplantation
Extracorporeal Bypass and Coagulation - Blood Products
- Physiology of Extracorporeal Bypass
- Techniques of Extracorporeal Bypass
- Mechanical Support
- Fundamentals of Coagulation Management and Blood Component Therapy
Minor Procedures
- Bronchoscopy
- Esophageoscopy
- Permanent Pacemakers
Thoracic Surgery and Research
- Non-Clinical Elements of Thoracic Surgical Practice
Other Structured Education Sessions
In addition to the Core Curriculum meetings, there are weekly conferences for continued education. There is full faculty participation at these conferences, which feature opportunities for the residents to select cases and topics that they would like to have discussed. The emphasis is on an interactive discussion rather than a formal didactic lecture. The format varies between:
- Case Presentations
- Journal Club
- Morbidity and Mortality Presentations
Other service specific conferences are held throughout the month, which further enhance the residents' education. These include: catheterization or pulmonary conferences at each of the training sites, transplant conferences, and grand rounds.
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