AUA Update Conference
Each week the residents and a faculty member with expertise in the topic review the content and study questions for each lesson of the AUA Updates. This is performed in an informal setting fostering critical appraisal of the review as well as potential for application of the information toward quality and process improvement of the department.
Core curriculum: Medical Knowledge
Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Conference
This is a weekly hospital-wide conference attended by medical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostic and interventional radiology,pathology, and surgical oncologists from several disciplines. Cases are submitted to the University of Illinois at Chicago tumor registrar by the faculty caring for the patient. Dr. Abern represents Urology at this conference. Each relevant aspect of the case is presented by the appropriate specialty, and the group makes consensus management decisions including any appropriate open clinical trials that the patient may qualify for.
Pediatric Urology Conferences
During their six month rotation at Children’s Memorial Hospital,residents participate in the conference schedule held by all faculty at this highly academic and busy clinical site. In addition, a monthly hourly conference at the University of Illinois at Chicago attended by all residents is conducted by a faculty member assigned to the University of Illinois at Chicago from Children’s Memorial Hospital.Residents present pediatric cases, and literature appropriate to the applied pediatric patient care is discussed.
Core competencies:Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Medical Knowledge and Patient Care.
Pre-Op Indications Conferences
These are weekly meeting. Residents from each service present interesting patients whose surgical treatment is either upcoming or ongoing, and discuss the proposed operative and postoperative management plan with the faculty. Particular emphasis is placed on selection of operative technique, treatment alternatives, and the identification of hypothetical pitfalls and means to avoid them.
Core competencies:Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Medical Knowledge and Patient Care.
Journal Club
The intent of this monthly conference is to educate residents in the integration of patient care with utilization of the world literature in the modern electronic era. Based on a particular topic that is aligned with the AUA Core Curriculum, each resident selects a recent and relevant journal article by a PubMed search, and analytically reviews and presents the case and the associated journal article to the residents and attending urologists. Emphasis is placed on the evidence-based approach the journal article applies to the corresponding case. Selection of the journal articles are reviewed and approved by faculty.
Core competencies: Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Medical Knowledge and Patient Care
Morbidity/Mortality/Ethics Conference
The intent of this monthly conference is to educate residents in the reflection of patient care with undesired outcomes by reviewing literature applicable to the administered medical and surgical therapies which resulted in morbidity or mortality, but also by considering ethical issues such as judgment in selecting therapy and considering quality of life issues. Morbidity and mortality cases for all hospitals in the training program are included in the conference, and attendance is mandatory for all residents and full time and voluntary faculty. The resident responsible for the management of each case presents a summary of the evaluation, treatment plan, surgical procedure(s), adverse outcome and a topical and pertinent literature review to describe past experience with the adverse outcome encountered during therapy. The responsible faculty member then reviews the case from her or his perspective, and the attendees discuss the case in detail, emphasizing clinical judgment in the approach taken, and the associated ethical and quality of life issues. The treating resident and faculty member then summarize the discussion and present recommendations to prevent adverse outcomes in similar future cases.
Core competencies: Patient Care, Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Professionalism, Communication and Interpersonal Skills and Medical Knowledge
Chapter Club
The intent of this monthly two hour conference is to systematically review the core urological knowledge within the Campbell’s Urology textbook. A single faculty moderates the conference, where the assigned chapters are first thoroughly reviewed, and then questions and answers selected from past AUA Self Assessment Study Programs pertaining to the chapters are discussed. An average of four chapters is covered per conference session so that the entire textbook is reviewed during a two year period, and as a result each resident covers the entire text twice during her or his residency. When appropriate, supplemental reading such as journal articles pertinent to the text is assigned and discussed.
Core competency:Medical Knowledge
Case Conference
At this conference the residents from each hospital bring their current most difficult or interesting diagnostic and treatment problems for presentation to other residents and faculty. The cases are presented as unknowns and are read by the junior residents. The problems are then dissected by the more senior residents and faculty and a consensus on management is reached by the group.
Core competencies:Practice-based Learning and Improvement,Medical Knowledge and Patient Care
Research and Education and Practice Meetings
These monthly meetings are part of the administrative function of the Department of Urology, and two resident delegates attend to give direct input into the educational and practice-oriented operation of the department. The monthly Research and Education meeting addresses all educational and research efforts within the department, and the Practice Meeting attends to clinic practice oriented issues involved in the running of the department. Residents are considered equal partners in the administration of the department at these meetings, contributing ideas and collaborating in problem solving.
Core competencies:Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Systems-based Practice and Communication and Interpersonal Skills
As the occasion arises, residents will meet with members of the radiology and pathology departments for an interdisciplinary conference fostering collaboration across fields.
Pelvic Floor Conference
This is an interdisciplinary conference involving our urology and ob/gyn residents. The monthly conference is run by either Dr. Ervin Kocjancic, Dr. Anders Mellgren, or Dr. William Kobak. The entire spectrum of the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the pelvic floor and lower urinary tract are covered. The residents have a unique opportunity to get a multidisciplinary approach to common diseases affecting 1.6 million patients in US. The didactic section is very interactive through case presentation and decision making modules.
Core competency:Practice-based Learning and Improvement, Medical Knowledge and Patient Care
Robotics Training Program
Simone Crivellaro, MD, leads a monthly lab teaching all residents the basics in robotic surgery as part of a scored robotics training program. These dry and wet labs train residents in minimally invasive procedures with laparoscopic and robotic skills. Labs also incorporate virtual reality software. All residents must pass a standardized assessment at the end of each year.
Computational Science and Engineering Research Conference
This weekly meeting to review and discuss the Computational Science and Engineering Research laboratory effort is attended by the research resident participating in the laboratory. The resident presents her or his weekly work to the attendees, and subjects it to rigorous analysis and input. This meeting is integral to the scientific education of the participating resident.