Education in Colon and Rectal Surgery

Goals

The competency of patient care is the foundation of a physician’s education, as patient care is the basis for our profession. Graduates of the CRS Residency Training Program will be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of diseases and disorders of the colon and rectum.

Objectives

Following satisfactory completion of a CRS Residency Training Program, CRS residents should be able to:

• Gather accurate and essential information about their patients
• Independently perform a thorough and competent patient assessment, and demonstrate the ability to make appropriate decisions about the treatment choices including the need for surgery
• Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions based on current scientific evidence, patient information and preferences and clinical judgment
• Develop and carry out outpatient management plans
• Counsel and educate patients and their families using effective communication skills and a caring and respectful behavior  
• Articulate the rationale for approaches, decisions and judgments to patients and their families as well as other healthcare providers
• Competently perform all medical management and invasive procedures considered essential in the field of CRS, including abdominopelvic and anorectal operations via open, laparoscopic and/or robotic means. Exposure to other procedures such as diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopy, anorectal ultrasound/physiology testing and interventions for the treatment of fecal incontinence (sacral nerve stimulation, use of injectables) is also provided
• Demonstrate competence in the application of clinical and basic science knowledge to make sound pre-operative and intra-operative decisions and cope with unexpected findings or developments in the operating room independently
• Provide safe and competent perioperative care, including the timely recognition and management of surgical complications
• Work effectively with healthcare professionals from a broad spectrum of other disciplines to provide patient-focused care
• Provide healthcare services aimed at preventing health problems and maintaining health

The CRS resident will work the program director to identify a systems-based or clinical/bench research project with an appropriate faculty mentor at the beginning of his or her training. The faculty mentor provides the trainee oversight by setting up dedicated monthly meetings with the CRS resident to discuss technical challenges and solutions, project progress and deadlines, career development, setting next steps, goals, objectives and timelines for abstract/grant submission, interpersonal and leadership skills, professionalism, etc.

It is expected that the project will be submitted in abstract form for consideration for presentation at the yearly ASCRS meeting and/or regional society meetings. Secondly, the CRS resident is required to research and create a monthly powerpoint lecture on colorectal topics of scholarly and academic quality to be presented at weekly CRS Grand Rounds. The CRS resident will also evaluate and present current literature at monthly journal club meetings.

The CRS resident is required to attend/complete the following:

CRS Grand Rounds (CRS faculty and invited faculty/visiting professors also present)

• CRS Skills Lab
• Colorectal Tumor Board (weekly multidisciplinary conference, faculty and resident present)
• Department of Surgery Grand Rounds (visiting professor, faculty and resident present)
• Department of Surgery M&M (resident presents to faculty and other house staff)
• Weekly formal teaching rounds (faculty present with resident)
• Monthly GI Pathology Conference (faculty, resident and staff present)
• Ethics, resident (on own time)

Prior to appointment to the CRS Training Program, the applicant should have demonstrated a satisfactory level of clinical maturity, technical skills and surgical judgment that will enable him or her to begin a CRS Residency Training Program for the purpose of board certification and specialization in the field. Prior to appointment, the applicant must have successfully completed an ACGME- or a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)-accredited general surgery residency training program of no less than five years of progressive education; and be certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or have completed the educational requirements to be eligible to take the ABS qualifying (written) examination.

Applicants must be eligible for either a training certificate or a permanent medical license as granted by the State Medical Board of Ohio. Prior to appointment into the program, applicants must have either an acknowledgment letter of receipt of training certificate application, a newly issued or renewed training certificate, proof of receipt of application for permanent Ohio medical license or a permanent Ohio medical license.

Applicants who are non-U.S. citizens must hold permanent resident status with a work authorization, or be eligible to apply for or hold a J-1 Visa through the ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program. H-1B-eligible applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The institution and training program agrees to assist the CRS resident as necessary with completion of immigration paperwork, but the ultimate responsibility for its completion remains with the resident.

Applicants must apply for and receive limited staff privileges at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as defined in the OSUH Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules and Regulations. Prior to beginning the program, the individual must have been granted either limited staff privileges or temporary limited staff privileges.