Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Rotation
PGY-1
The resident is expected to learn and practice the basic concepts of preoperative and postoperative care, learn to identify and care for critically ill patients, and develop competence in basic surgical skills. Clinical rotations include Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Foregut and Bariatric Surgery, General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care, and Cardiac Anesthesia
PGY-2
In the second year, the resident is expected to gain increased responsibility in preoperative and postoperative care, especially in diagnostic work-up and developing treatment plans. The resident is expected to become more technically proficient and skilled in basic surgical procedures. Clinical rotations include Acute Care Surgery, Foregut and Bariatric Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Cardio-Vascular Intensive Care, and Cardiothoracic Surgery.
PGY-3
In the third year, the resident will begin to function at a more senior level, with continued responsibility in preoperative and postoperative care, and increasing responsibility in the operative setting. The resident will be expected to become more technically proficient and skilled in more advanced surgical procedures as well as Endovascular skills. Clinical rotations include Colorectal and Abdominal Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, and Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Professional Development/Academic Enrichment (2 years)
After the first three clinical years, the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident at the University of Utah will do 2 Professional Development/Personal Academic Enrichment years. The academic enrichment experience is designed to provide residents with a great deal of flexibility to pursue scholarly academic experience. These two years are either laboratory or clinical research opportunities, and likely done in conjunction with the pursuit of a graduate degree in a related or ancillary field (eg. Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation, MBA, Masters in Education, or PhD).
The last three years of training are devoted to the surgical, percutaneous and minimally invasive treatment of acquired cardiac disease, congenital cardiac disease, thoracic and esophageal disease (components of cardiothoracic surgery). The residents will continue to follow the cardiothoracic surgery core curriculum, attend mandatory teaching and didactic conferences, and take the annual TSDA In-training exam.
PGY-4
The resident continues to gain experience with open and minimally invasive thoracic and esophageal disease, and more complex open and endovascular surgery. Senior level training begins on the thoracic and cardiac surgery services. The resident will go over the preoperative patient history, diagnostic work-up and relevant imaging studies with attending staff, and actively participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning conferences. On the pediatric cardiac service, residents will function as first assistants for complex cases, and perform those cases appropriate for their level of training. Residents will learn and perform basic cardiovascular and thoracic surgical procedures. Clinical rotations include Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery.
The final two years in the Integrated Cardiothoracic Surgery program are similar to the experience obtained in the Traditional Cardiothoracic Surgery training program (2-year training after general surgery residency).
PGY-5
In the fifth clinical year, the resident will function at the senior level, with continued levels of increasing operative expectations. The resident will function as the primary surgeon with direct attending supervision while on the thoracic surgery service. On cardiac surgery, residents will act as primary surgeon on appropriate level cases and first assistant on complex cases. Clinical rotations include Cardiothoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology.
PGY-6
In the sixth year, the resident will function as the chief resident on adult cardiac surgery and thoracic surgery. In addition, the resident will serve as the administrative chief resident for the residency program. Residents will be involved in all aspects of patient care, including preoperative planning and postoperative management. Residents will function as primary surgeon on both basic and complex level thoracic and adult cardiac surgical cases. Clinical rotations include Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, and four months of elective time for a rotation of the resident’s choosing in Cardiac Surgery, Thoracic Surgery or Mechanical Circulatory Support/heart and lung transplantation.