Program Overview:
Research education is directed as a cohort, defined by the year of residency (first year, second year, etc.) This team is matched with a clinical research facilitator(s). The teams meet monthly for approximately one hour. With their research mentor(s), over the remaining years of their residency, the study team will select, design and implement one (or more) clinical research programs. Highly functioning teams are likely to accomplish multiple research projects, ensuring first author publications and/or presentations for each team member.

Timeline:

Summer (3 months)

• Select, design and finalize protocol
• Educational Points: Literature Review, Selection of Protocol (ethics, feasibility, funding, etc.)
  

Fall (3 months) 

• Approvals and Procedures (forms, procedure manuals, as appropriate)
• Educational Points: The IRB Process (become certified in human subjects research and complete IRB exam), Data Collection
  

Winter (3 months) 

• Data Collection and Entry
• Educational Points: The Realities of enacting research – the JOY of doing it
  

Spring (3 months) 

• Analysis, Preparing Publication and Presentations
• Education Points: How to do an interpret analysis,
• selecting venue for presentations/publications –
• preparing high quality dissemination of the work.

This program optimizes the chance that a core set of knowledge and skills is transferred to the resident. This allows each resident to experience the synergy necessary for modern clinical research and facilitates many other professional traits that the Loyola program teaches (teamwork, collegiality, cooperation). The chance of a successful project is increased by the cooperation of the resident cohort design.

Projects move from quite simple to more complex as the skills and enthusiasm of the cohort study team progresses. Thus, each resident will have several high-quality publications (with concomitant presentations) on their CV.

CASST
Clinical Anatomy Sugical Skills Training

CASST Junior
This program is designed to introduce first and second year Obstetric & Gynecology residents to the clinical anatomy and basic surgical skills required in the early years of training. It consists of 5, 3-hour hands-on workshops in the gross anatomy and surgical skill training laboratories.

Residents will learn when and why to select particular surgical instruments, suture, and needles. They will learn the clinically relevant anatomy and basic surgical principals and techniques necessary for cesarean sections, laparotomies, and abdominal hysterectomies. Didactic and laboratory sessions will focus on clinically appropriate applications and complications.

CASST Senior
This program provides the third and fourth year Obstetric and Gynecology residents with endoscopy training, develops critical thinking and problem solving skills in surgery and teaches the principles of vaginal surgery and urethropexy. It consists of 4, 3-hour hands-on workshops in the gross anatomy and surgical skills training laboratories.

Residents will learn the principles and physiology of laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, cystoscopy, vaginal hysterectomy, urethorpexy, and uterosacral ligament suspension. They will learn to identify and repair ureteral and bowel injuries as well as evaluate and treat hemorrhage. Ethical decision-making dilemmas for the surgeon and medico-legal issues are also reviewed.

Other:
Residents supplement their clinical education with operative laparoscopy training sessions in our on-site animal facilities, computer/video learning aids in our Departmental Learning Center and computerized literature search support. A core library of major textbooks for incoming interns are provided by the Department. Faculty actively tutor residents requiring individual assistance.

Residents are evaluated frequently with verbal and written commentary. Monthly service evaluations are discussed individually at the end-of-rotation and periodic written evaluations are provided by the involved supervising faculty. Residents choose a faculty mentor to review these evaluations and career goals quarterly. All residents are expected to take the in-house CITROG training exam to identify individual/program weaknesses. Each resident will meet with the Program Director quarterly to review progress and chart future educational objectives.