FMIGS Surgical Boot Camp 2019 – Return to Barrow
While Phoenix was having unseasonably cool weather (a mere 105°F), things heated up at the Barrow Neurological Institute when 93 fellows and 66 faculty arrived August 9 ready to educate, learn and network in all things FMIGS!
PDs as Learners
The boot camp kicked off with a novel half-day session focused on educating our very own educators. Developed and led by Dr. Magdy Milad, 43 leaders of FMIGS programs learned about updates in program requirements, how to prepare for site visits and new formative feedback tools, including the MyTIPreport program. Dr. Megan Wasson provided a talk on effective teaching strategies for millennials and Dr. Suketu Mansuria oriented the audience to curriculum functionality of the newly redesigned SurgeryU website. Said PD Board Representative Dr. Gretchen Makai, “This was a great event. PDs were excited to be involved – actively engaging with peers in dialogue about fellowship practice and goals.”
Hands-On Education
After the PDs had their introductory session, they jumped seamlessly into educator mode in the fellow sim labs. Preparing for the boot camp via pre-session webinars was helpful for many of the labs. This year ALL fellows were given the opportunity to operate on a cadaver under the supervision of faculty from programs throughout the country. The second years practiced retroperitoneal dissection and ureteral reanastomoses while the first years performed laparoscopic hysterectomies. When the hysterectomies were completed, we first years were also encouraged to practice cystotomy repairs and suturing other intentional iatrogenic injuries. The energy in the sim lab with Dr. Milad was palpable as we pushed the electrocautery devices to their limits and filled the air with citrus infused smoke. Interacting with the industry reps in the hysteroscopic wet labs was great to get our feet (literally) wet with devices and products that may not be used at our institutions. The fellows also got time on robotic simulators to develop and refine their skills. We partnered with other fellows to learn tips and tricks and practicing the steps of vaginal hysterectomies and sling procedures under the guidance of experienced faculty. Teambuilding and partnering with fellows from other sites was encouraged throughout these sessions, which warmed us up for the Saturday night mixer.
Networking
Sharing funny stories, reminiscing about the interview trail, seeking out job opportunity and discussing research collaborations could all be heard over food and drinks at the VIG Filmore. Sponsored by Teleflex, fellows and faculty were spotted taking group selfies and class pictures, but were sure to turn in at a reasonable hour to gear up for another day of education.
Cases Logs, Research and Life After Training
After meeting FMIGS faculty and co-fellows from across the country (and globe!) in a relaxed setting, it was back to the (at times) harsh reality of academic medicine and the business of medicine. Starting off with a lively townhall that shared changes in fellowship requirements and the looming change in case log system, there were also workshops on the business of medicine and research. Second-year fellows participated in round table WIPs to discuss current research progress and issues while first-year fellows attended a workshop on fundamentals of research project design. Fellows also participated in simulation training addressing intraoperative crisis and difficult patient conversations.
Armed with new skills, knowledge and excitement, faculty and fellows returned to their institutions ready to start a new academic year.
Looking to 2020
The combined FMIGS/AAGL Education Committee is hard at work planning an even bigger Boot Camp for 2020 that will include programing not only for fellows and faculty, but also residents and the Young Alumni Network (YAN). A new webinar series to complement FMIGS education and address knowledge gaps for the AAGL membership at large is also set to kick off in January 2020.
