Outpatient Experience: the "Art" of Patient CareAs the Department has grown and developed into the primary source for neurosurgical care for the entire community of Rochester, we have also largely assumed responsibility for providing care to the underserved in our region. This has developed into one of the unique features and learning opportunities of our program: the Resident Clinic. This occupies the afternoon of every Friday, starting after Academic Conferences end. New patients are seen by residents on a rotating basis, and subsequent visits to the clinic are coordinated to that these patients remain in the care of the same resident throughout the patient's course care within the Department including, if indicated, surgery. Each patient is evaluated by the resident and discussed with the Program Director, who serves as the supervising attending neurosurgeon in the Resident Clinic. Patients requiring surgery are also reviewed by the Chief or Senior Resident, and cases are scheduled with the Program Director serving as the surgeon-of-record, but with the expectation that the Chief or Senior Resident will perform the procedure under attending supervision but with assistance of one of the mid-level residents.
This clinic setting stresses continuity of care in both operative and non-operative situations, and gives residents exposure not just to surgical technique but also the nuances of patient assessment and decision-making that are critical to the successful practice of neurosurgery. Paralleling the growth of our Department in general, the Resident Clinic has grown steadily in terms of new patient consults and cases. The opportunity for supervised independence and acquisition of case selection skills is universally appreciated by the residents as one of the best parts of the residency program. |
