Didactic Curriculum

Four-semester sequence that begins with the students applying standard OR monitors to each other and performing various experiments to explore the usefulness of each technique and identify rudimentary pitfalls. The laboratory progresses to introduce the student to practical application of physical and monitoring principles in anesthesia practice through bench experiments. In the spring and summer semesters, students apply basic and advanced monitoring techniques using animal models and study cardiac, pulmonary, vascular, and renal physiology and pharmacology. Starting with the spring semester, students are required to present the results of their experiments every two weeks to the entire class and laboratory instructors, using statistical methodology as appropriate.

This course will provide an opportunity to learn and appreciate structure, function, pathophysiology, disease and management of the human airway. The basic principles of airway management, elective and emergent will be covered, including equipment and techniques.

Introduction to anesthesia delivery systems, including gas distribution systems, anesthesia machines, breathing circuits, anesthesia ventilators, waste-gas scavenging and monitoring pollution, risk management, critical incidents in anesthesia, and resuscitation equipment.

Emphasizes drugs specifically related to the practice of anesthesia, including inhaled anesthetics, opioids, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anticholinesterases and anticholinergics, neuromuscular blockers, adrenergic agonists and antagonists, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidysrhythmics, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, anticoagulants, antihistamines, and antimicrobials.

Includes history of anesthesia, types of anesthesia, the anesthesia care team, universal precautions and infection control, layout of the operating room, sterile fields and techniques, interacting with patients, starting intravenous catheters and arterial cannulae, obtaining arterial blood samples, application of ASA-standard monitors, preparing the operating room for the first case of the day, and a brief survey of induction, maintenance, and emergence from anesthesia.

Basic physical principles and processes applied to the practice of anesthesia. Includes dimensional analysis; work, energy, and power; gas laws; fluid mechanics; heat transfer; vaporization; solubility, diffusion, and osmosis; fires and explosions; laser and x-ray radiation; principles of electrical circuit theory used to model anesthesia equipment, physiologic systems, and time constants.

Principles, application, and interpretation of various monitoring modalities including ECG, invasive and non-invasive blood pressure, oximetry, cardiac output, respiratory gas analysis, and respiration. Also includes intraoperative neurophysiology monitoring, temperature, renal function, coagulation/hemostasis, neuromuscular junction, transesophageal echocardiography, and ICP.

Preoperative patient evaluation, including history taking, physical examination, chart review, and select laboratory and radiologic testing.

Supplement to human physiology course (BAHS 502), emphasizing hemo-dynamics; respiration; renal fluids, and compartments; temperature regulation and heat homeostasis; specialized circulations; blood gases/pH; maternal and fetal physiology.

Pathophysiology in a systems approach – cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, neuro, metabolic, endocrine, et cetera. Emphasizes those systems which affect evaluation and planning for anesthesia and those systems affected by the administration of anesthesia.

Systems-based coverage of pathophysiology and disease as they relate to anesthesia. Emphasizes the integration of perioperative evaluation, planning, and management for the surgical patient.

Foundations of the clinical practice of anesthesia gained through one-on-one supervised instruction in the operating room and other clinical locations. Participation and responsibilities increase through the year as knowledge and skills increase.

Includes student case presentations, student presentations of selected readings reviewing hazards and complications in anesthesiology, and student presentations from current anesthesia literature.

Encompasses the student’s clinical experience in required rotations through all anesthesia subspecialty areas (excluding chronic pain management and critical care medicine). Monthly required readings are assigned. Monthly comprehensive examinations are administered. Each course’s grade is comprised of clinical evaluations and comprehensive examination scores.

Lectures and discussions by faculty, visiting faculty, and residents on clinical and research topics. Includes correlation of case management and complications.

Permits a first-year student to study in-depth a curricular topic in anesthesiology under the direction of a faculty member.

Permits a first-year student to study in-depth a topic in anesthesiology that is not covered in the curriculum under the direction of a faculty member.

Permits a senior student to enroll for review of or participation in a subspecialty area of clinical anesthesia.

Permits a senior student to study in-depth a topic in anesthesiology that is not covered in the curriculum under the direction of a faculty member.

Provides the opportunity for a student with an interest in laboratory or clinical research to participate in a project within or without the department under the direction of a faculty member.

Gross anatomy and histology. Anatomical terms, structures, and relationships emphasizing functional significance in problem-solving situations. Laboratory provides demonstrations on models and prosection in small groups.

Systems approach to normal function of the human body, including relevant information on anatomy. Weekly problem solving sessions, regular laboratory exercises, and clinical application to systemic disorders.

Basic principles of drug action; absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs; mechanisms of drug action; toxicity. Basis for the use of medicines in pharmacologic therapy of specific diseases. Clinical correlation conferences.