Residency Curriculum

Residency curriculum

The core educational curriculum at the UW Anesthesiology program includes a full day each week dedicated to education sessions. Education days rotate on a weekly basis between CA1-CA3 classes and include core lectures, problem-based learning, small group sessions, and simulation and skills training in the state-of-the-art WWAMI Institute for Simulation in Healthcare (WISH). There are additional opportunities for formal practice with mock oral examinations, monthly POCUS case reviews, and journal clubs held in the evenings. 

In addition, each clinical subspecialty organizes their own respective educational curriculum.  Most occur in the morning and supplement clinical learning on the rotations.  

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training

We consider ultrasound training, namely image acquisition, interpretation, and knowledge application to be fundamental to the residency training program.  

Our program includes a comprehensive online series of video lectures and modular assessments paired with hands-on training in the form of simulation sessions and bedside scanning opportunities with expert proctoring. POCUS training is supplemented with case conferences, question and answer sessions, and knowledge assessment tools.  We monitor resident participation in ultrasound cases and evaluations to ensure residents successfully complete the program and graduate with the skills necessary to incorporate point of care ultrasound in a safe and effective way into their clinical practice.

Simulation training

We have a state-of-the-art anesthesia simulator and a comprehensive program of simulation sessions for residents addressing critical incident management, Point of Care Ultrasound, TEE, ACLS bootcamps, Regional Anesthesia workshops, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, teamwork, and communication skills. Details about our simulation center are available on the WWAMI Institute for Simulation in Healthcare (WISH) website.

Mock oral board sessions

While we work to hone skills in communication and clinical judgment on a daily basis, we intentionally dedicate time to formal mock oral boards sessions to prepare our residents for oral board exams. During these evening events, every resident has a 1:1 practice session with a faculty member. Following the session, the faculty member provides individualized feedback on the resident’s performance and suggestions for improvement. 

Workshops and journal clubs

Residents are invited to attend bi-monthly continuous quality improvement sessions at Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center – Montlake. Residents may also take advantage of evening workshops and journal clubs led by faculty.

Vantari VR

Residents can practice procedures using Vantari virtual reality headsets which offer immersive experiences and real-time feedback. The headsets are available for practice for all residents any time they are on campus at the UW Medical Center – Montlake.