Training & Curriculum

With volume, variety and scope of clinical experience available, our program warrants that residents will obtain superior exposure to all components of anesthesiology and its subspecialties. Additionally, our residents engage in simulation experiences, ultrasound workshops, ECHO workshops, OSCE exam practice, mock oral and written board exam review. Residents attend the ASA conference yearly and are encouraged to take advantage of hospital-based, national and international opportunities.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Anesthesiology at Cedars-Sinai is to provide the highest quality anesthesiology care to the patients of this institution and to advance the science of the specialty through research and teaching. We are committed to providing our services to the patients of Cedars-Sinai in a comprehensive and compassionate manner that maintains human dignity and is in conformance with the mission of the Cedars-Sinai.

Vision Statement

An academic medical center must provide excellent care that is compassionate and competent, focusing on the needs of the community as well as striving to continuously improve its services.

Residency Goals and Objectives

To train physicians who strive for excellence and to continuously learn and improve their practice
To train physicians to become outstanding anesthesiologists
To train physicians to give comprehensive and compassionate medical care to all patients
To train physicians in the ethical practice of medicine
To train physicians to become Diplomates of the American Board of Anesthesiology

Curriculum

The goals of the residency program will be accomplished by the completion of a multiyear curriculum. This four-year curriculum is designed as a continuum of education in anesthesiology fulfilling all criteria to allow our residents to enter the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) examination system. The continuum consists of a clinical base year (12 months) and 36 months of ABA-approved training in anesthesiology (CA-1, CA-2 and CA-3 years). Learning objectives for each anesthesiology specialty and sub-specialty curriculum are included for each six-month interval.

The clinical base year (12 months = 13 blocks) includes rotations in the following disciplines: medicine, ambulatory medicine, surgery, ambulatory surgery, anesthesiology, perioperative surgical home, medical intensive care, surgical intensive care, emergency medicine and neurosurgical intensive care and quality improvement/patient safety. The three-year clinical anesthesiology training follows ABA guidelines. The full training schedule is below.

Postgraduate Year I, Clinical Base Year (13 blocks)

A. Medicine Rotations (3 1/2 blocks)

Medical Intensive Care (1 block)
Medicine Wards (1/2 - 1 Block)
Heart Failure (1/2 Block)
Pulmonary Consult (1/2 Block)
Cardiology Consult (1/2 Block),
Vacation (half block)

B. Anesthesiology Rotation (two block)

Perioperative Surgical Home (1 block)
Anesthesia (half block)
Vacation (half block)

C. Emergency Medicine Rotation (one block)

D. Neurology Rotations (1 ½ Blocks)

Neurology (1/2 block)
Neuro ICU (1/2 Block)
Stroke (1/2 Block)

E. Surgery Rotations (five blocks)

Acute Care Surgery (1 block)
Surgical ICU (1 block)
Surgical subspecialties (3 blocks)
Ortho Trauma (1 block)
Thoracic Surgery (0-1 block)
Colorectal Surgery (0-1 block)
Transplant Surgery (0-1 block)
Urology Surgery (0-1 Block)

F. 1 Week Quality Improvement/Patient Safety (1 week, at the end of PGY-1)

G. Vacation (1 block)

Postgraduate Year II, Clinical Anesthesiology Year One (CA-1, 12 months)

Fundamentals of Anesthesiology (three months)
Acute Pain (one month)
Obstetric Anesthesiology (one month)
Outpatient Anesthesiology (one month)
Pre-Op Clinic (one month)
Postoperative Care (half month)
Thoracic Anesthesiology (half month)
Regional Anesthesiology (one month)
Neuro/Spine Anesthesiology (one month)
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (one month)
Vacation (one month)

Postgraduate Year III, Clinical Anesthesiology Year Two (CA-2, 12 months)

General Anesthesiology (two months)
Regional Anesthesiology (one month)
Pediatric Anesthesiology (two months)
Cardiovascular Anesthesiology (one-and-a-half months)
Echo (half month)
Neuro Anesthesiology (one month)
Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (one month)
Chronic Pain Management (one month)
OB Anesthesiology (one month)
Vacation (one month)

Postgraduate IV, Clinical Anesthesiology Year Three (CA-3, 12 months)

The program director, in collaboration with the resident, will design the resident’s CA-3 year of training. Resident assignments in the CA-3 year include the more difficult or complex anesthetic procedures and care of the most seriously ill patients.

CA-3 year residents are required to complete a minimum of six months of advanced anesthesia training. They may spend the remaining months in advanced anesthesia training in one to three selected subspecialty rotations, or in research. The training culminates in sufficiently independent responsibility for clinical decision-making and patient care, so that the graduating resident demonstrates sound clinical judgment in a wide variety of clinical situations and can function as a leader of a perioperative care team.

Research

Residents could spend approximately up to 25 percent of a three- or four-year program engaged in scholarly activities per ABA guidelines. Residents could participate in ongoing research project management and learn technical skills necessary to carry out independent and original research. Academic endeavors are strengthened according to prior individual experience through a tutoring and mentoring program with the director of research and the program director. This program includes independent study, readings and attendance at departmental research and statistical seminars. The director of research, co-director and the program director will assist the resident and faculty in planning and carrying out independent research.

Cedars-Sinai also offers the Clinical Scholars Program. This program is directed towards residents, fellows and young faculty with aspirations to become clinical scientists.

Clinical Volume

See attached Case Numbers Chart (PDF).