Didactic Teaching Conference
The didactic teaching conference is held weekly and follows the VSCORE curriculum. This conference covers all of the didactic topics in vascular and general surgery that the vascular trainee is expected to know over a 2 year repeating cycle. Topics and readings are known well in advance of the conference to allow adequate time for preparation. Faculty and trainees both participate in leading these conferences.
Morbidity and Mortality Conference (M&M)
M&M is a biweekly conference coordinated by the Division of Vascular Surgery. This conference involves the presentation of cases in which surgical complications are presented and discussed by the trainees involved with those particular cases using literature to support the discussion. The vascular surgery faculty are present and contribute to the discussion. This conference alternates weeks with the Indications conference. Once per year, there is a combined M&M conference with General Surgery to discuss cases that involved both services.
Indications Conference
Upcoming cases are presented by the resident doing the case, and faculty lead a discussion in the diagnosis and alternative management options for the patient. Interesting cases are also presented. This conference alternates weeks with the M&M conference.
Multidisciplinary Aortic Conference
This conference is held once a month to specifically discuss complex aortic cases. Members of cardiac surgery and radiology along with the vascular surgery team participate.
Vascular Surgery Journal Club
The Vascular Surgery Journal Club is held once a month, at a local restaurant or faculty home. One trainee and faculty member work together to select current articles related to a specific topic in Vascular Surgery. Each trainee is then assigned an article to review and present to the group over dinner with faculty moderating the discussion.
Grand Rounds
The Department of Surgery sponsors 10 Grand Round topics a year that are of interest to the entire department. The division of vascular surgery attends these conferences.
Vascular Surgery Simulation
Time is set aside throughout the year for trainees to participate in simulation activities. The vascular surgery training program at UW is a pilot site for the Fundamentals of Vascular Surgery curriculum. This involves 8 endovascular tasks and 3 open skills. Additionally, simulation sessions are held to familiarize the trainees with various endovascular devices as well as more advanced open techniques.
Vascular Lab Quality Assurance
Once a quarter, the Division holds a quality assurance meeting for the inpatient and outpatient non-invasive vascular labs. This conference helps to maintain the integrity of our vascular lab studies by reviewing complex or questionable cases. Teaching on a specific vascular lab test is also typically included.