Overview
Introduction to Surgical Foundations
Surgical Foundations (SF) is the educational program that encompasses the first two years of post-graduate training (PGY-1 and PGY-2). Residents from the following programs take part in Surgical Foundations:
McMaster University residents start Surgical Foundations in July of their first-year of residency, attending a six-day intensive boot-camp. Following boot camp, residents work to complete a series of competence-based Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA’s) and milestones. Think of EPA’s as a checklist of tasks each resident must complete effectively and efficiently and milestones as specific variables within each task that must be achieved. EPA’s and milestones are provided by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and are used by McMaster Universities Surgical Foundations director (Dr. Darren de SA), associate program director (Dr. Laura Nguyen) and senior education associate (Naomi Downer) to develop the Surgical Foundations curriculum each year.
Each week, Surgical Foundation Residents gather for Academic Half-Days (AHD), taking place Wednesday’s from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (with some exceptions). Academic Half-Days vary in style (lecture, hands on, etc.) and take place in numerous environments, lending to the enhancement of knowledge and practical skills. AHD’s are considered protected teaching time and residents are to turn their pagers off during these sessions.
The following are examples of Academic Half-Day’s attended by SF residents:
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Lectures (faculty, upper-year residents, external)
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Simulation (Centre for Simulation-Based Learning)
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Anatomy (Education Program in Anatomy)
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Technical Skills (Centre for Simulation-Based Learning and Education Program in Anatomy)
Exam: Visit The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website for details.
Resident Manual
Welcome to the Surgical Foundations resident’s manual.
Table of Contents:
- Welcome and Mission Statement
- Curriculum
- Boot Camp
- Committees and Resident Evaluations
- Coordinator Duties
- Resident Support and Resident Representatives
- Schedule
- Ombudsperson
- Handouts and Presentations
Curriculum
Expandable List
The following lecture topics will be covered during the 2021-22 Academic Year for PGY-1s:
Emergency Lecture Series:
- Cardiac/cardiology Emergencies
- General surgery Emergencies
- Otolaryngology Emergencies
- Neurologic Emergencies
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Emergencies
- Orthopaedic Emergencies
- Plastic surgery Emergencies
- Thoracic Emergencies
- Urologic Emergencies
- Vascular Emergencies
Other:
*New in 2021-22
- Abdominal Imaging
- Acid Base Disorders and Renal Failure
- Advocacy in Surgery – Surgical and Social Work Perspectives*
- Anesthesia
- Antibiotic Stewardship
- Bariatric Considerations in Surgery
- Blood Products and Transfusion/Perioperative Blood Conservation
- Chest Imaging
- Coagulation
- Crisis Resource Management 1 and 2
- Disclosing Adverse Events
- Endocrine Disease and Surgical Stress
- Fluids and Electrolytes
- Healthcare Resource Stewardship*
- Hemodynamics, Oxygen Transport and Shock*
- Inclusion and Anti-Racism (three hours)*
- Medical and Radiation Oncology: Principles*
- Pain Management
- Palliative Care and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) (three hours)
- Patient Safety and Quality Improvement*
- Peri-operative Complications and Management
- Psychosis and Delirium
- Pulmonary Disease*
- Respiratory Failure
- Sepsis
- Surgical Nutrition
- Thrombosis Prophylaxis and Management
- Transplant and Immunology
- Wound Healing
Research
- Introduction to Research/The Research Department at McMaster
- Research Ethics
Professional Competencies: Organized by Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME)
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Details on the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) site
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS): Organized By Dr. Shawn Mondoux
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Details on Dr. Mondoux’s MacExperts page
Online Modules:
- Surgical Infection Society
- Surgical Attire
- Water-Based Surgical Scrub
- Waterless Surgical Scrub
- Common Errors to Scrubbing
- Gowning and Gloving
- Self-Glove and Glove
- Maintaining Sterility
- Canadian Medical Protective Association
- Speaking up
- Disclosing harm from healthcare delivery
- Informed Discharge
- Informed Consent
- Documentation
- Hamilton Health Sciences
- Radiation Safety in the Clinical Setting
- Mental Health Act: A Guide for Health Professionals working in Medical Surgical Settings
- Patient Safety
- Facing the Facts
- Changing the Culture
- Why things go Wrong
- Building Resistance to Error
- A Safety System
- Leading and Learning
- Prevention and Management of Workplace Violence
- Trillium Gift of Life
- I Care for Patients and Families in a cardiac care unit (CCU)/emergency department (ED) setting
- I Care for Patients and Families in a ward setting
- Neurological Determination of Death
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement
- Improvement Capability
- Patient Safety
- Triple Aim for Populations
- Person and Family-Centered Care
- Leadership
- Ontario Medical Association
- Violence Against Woman
- Cannabis
- Basics
- Fundamentals
- Psychopharmacology
- Enhancing Communication
All online modules must be completed and submitted by PGY-1s via Avenue to Learn (Assignments).
The following lecture topics will be covered during the 2021-22 Academic Year for PGY-2s prior to their Surgical Foundations examination in fall of PGY-2:
Research:
- Research Ethics
- Research Statistics (Didactic)
- Research Statistics (Practical)
- Critical Appraisal (Didactic)
- Critical Appraisal (Practical)
Other:
- Oncology
- Approach to myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS)
- Endocrine Disease and Management
- Intimate Partner Violence
Exam Preparation
- Mock Exam Review
- Examination Discussion
- Small Group Study and Learning
Information Box Group
Anatomy and Simulated Sessions - Learn More
During their PGY1, Surgical Foundations residents will attend four Anatomy Lab sessions and one simulated-environment sessions, where they will complete various skill-centered rotations under the supervision and guidance of surgical faculty and upper-year residents. In addition, each Surgical Foundations cohort has one Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). These clinical examinations take place using resources and space from McMaster’s Anatomy Lab and Centre for Simulation-Based Learning (CSBL).
2020-21 Anatomy Lab Sessions:
- Anatomy IA: September 9, 2020
- Anatomy IB: September 30, 2020
- Anatomy IIA: October 28, 2020
- Anatomy IIB: November 25, 2020
2020-21 Technical Skills Sessions (Anatomy and CSBL):
- EPA 2.1B Simulation Event for 2018 PGY1: October 21, 2020
- EPA 2.1B Simulation Event for 2019 PGY1: November 11, 2020
- Splinting/Casting, Airways, Chest Tubes and Central Line Insertion: December 9, 2020
- OSCE for 2020 PGY1: May 26, 2021
Feedback: At the end of each session residents are given the opportunity to provide feedback online, anonymously, to the program coordinator.
Additional Lab Time: All Surgical Foundations residents are encouraged to spend additional time as required in the Anatomy Lab. Booking small group sessions for educational purposes can be done via the anatomy lab website, found on the McMaster Anatomy website.
Boot Camp - Learn More
Planning for the July 2022 Surgical Foundations (SF) Boot Camp has begun. The below information is subject to modification.
Lectures:
- Welcome and Orientation
- Avenue to Learn
- Navigating MedSIS
- Pre-Operative Preparation
- Optimization and Risk Assessment – Scoring and Strategies
- On Call 101 (Resident Lead)
- Recognition of the Critically Ill Patient: Simulation with Internal Medicine (new!)
- Policies and Procedures
- Electrosurgery (didactic and practical)
- Breaking Bad News (didactic and practical with mock patients)
- Informed Consent (didactic and practical with mock patients)
Anatomy & Simulation:
- Anatomy Lab – Orientation and Quiz
- Suture Materials
- Suturing Lab I and II
- Operating Room Conduct
- Health and Safety
- Gowning and Gloving
- Foley, Nasogastric and Feeding Tubes
- Breaking Bad News (mock patients)
- Informed Consent (mock patients)
- Chest Tube, Central Line, Airway and Needle Thoracostomy
At the end of the week, all residents will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on all boot camp sessions.