Resident Conferences

All conference time is protected from clinical responsibilities to ensure maximum resident participation. Throughout all conferences, there is a focus on evidence-based medicine.

EM Didactic Conference

This weekly four-hour didactic conference is attended by all faculty, residents, and medical students in theDepartment of Emergency Medicine. The conference is divided into two hour blocks. The first two-hour block is spent in interactive small groups with faculty facilitation. The second two-hour block is spent in a traditional lecture format with all medical students, residents, and faculty together. Residents are expected to spend at least one hour each week in asynchronous preparation for this conference. Breakfast is provided to residents and students for each weekly conference.

• Small Group Curriculum includes:
  • Case-based Concentrated Topics in Emergency Medicine
  • Visual Diagnosis Longitudinal Curriculum: EKG/Radiology/Clinical images
  • Oral and Written Board Review

• Lecture Curriculum includes:
  • Core Content from the ABEM Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine
  • Case Conference and Discussion

• Asynchronous Learning
  • Weekly reading assignments
  • Multimedia presentations
  • Commercial board review question bank

Morbidity and Mortality Conference

The morbidity and mortality conference presents cases with unexpected or suboptimal outcomes or near missesfor critical evaluation. Cases are selected for their educational value as an important part of the quality improvement process. Emphasis of discussion is placed on system improvement and controllable factors contributing to the case. Cases are presented by residents with a faculty mentor. This conference occurs on alternating academic blocks opposite the trauma conference.

Year-Directed Conference

The R1 year-directed conference (YDC) concentrates on the approach to the undifferentiated patient complaint. The ability to conduct simultaneous resuscitation and treatment while evaluating life-threatening and other serious problems is an essential skill for all emergency physicians. Small-group sessions enable case-based discussions where R1s can ask questions and draw on the real-world experiences.

The focus areas of the R2 year-directed conference (YDC) are critical care and procedural skills. The small-group discussions, experiential activities, and short courses specific to the R2 year increase the residents’ confidence in these critical skills.

Success in personal and professional lives is one key characteristic for a fulfilling long-term career in emergency medicine. The R3 year-directed conference (YDC) focuses on the related knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to achieve this. The small-group discussions are led by local experts in the respective topics.

Journal Club

Journal club helps residents develop the skills necessary for life-long learning throughout their career. Under the direction of a faculty mentor, residents develop the skills necessary to formulate an appropriate clinical question, find and critically appraise relevant literature,  and implement practice-changing advancements.

Research and statistical training relevant to the articles to be discussed is provided by a faculty member actively involved in research design in the Department of Emergency Medicine prior to the Journal Club discussion.