The Training Program in Anesthesiology is designed to offer broad clinical exposure to all aspects of the specialty so that graduates are prepared for a career in this rapidly advancing and highly technical field. A strong didactic curriculum combined with the faculty's commitment to resident education complement the clinical experience. As a result, graduates from our program complete effectively for academic positions, postgraduate fellowships, and private practice opportunities.
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has accredited the Anesthesiology training program at George Washington University since 1951. The Department participates in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for entrance at the CA-1 level. Residents are accepted into the program upon completion of an accredited clinical base year.
During the first year (CA-1) of the thirty-six month continuum, the residents' training focuses on the fundamental aspects of preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative recovery. During the months of July and August, CA-1 residents are intensely supervised in the operating room by both senior residents and attendings so they may progress comfortably through this initial critical stage. During these months, a series of introductory lectures are held for CA-1 residents to introduce basic concepts and techniques inherent to the field. Resident performance in the operating room is evaluated daily by staff. A faculty advisor provides each resident with feedback on his or her progress. As confidence and experience is gained, the new resident will begin overnight call responsibilities. In addition to caring for patients in the operating room and on labor and delivery, the call team provides 24-hour support for airway resuscitation and trauma management throughout the hospital and in the Ronald Regan Institute of Emergency Medicine. Overnight call responsibilities also include management of an active acute pain service. Residents have no assigned departmental responsibilities on the day after overnight call.
During the CA-2 year, residents gain extensive clinical experience in the subspecialty areas of anesthesia by means of a specialty block rotation system. CA-2 residents will also have an opportunity to rotate in a pediatric block at the Children's National Health System, as well as a cardiac block at the VA Hospital.
The CA-3 year constitutes advanced anesthesia training involving management of difficult or complex procedures and the care of seriously ill patients.