Anesthesiology Residency Curriculum

The residency in anesthesiology offers a graded increase in responsibility coupled with close supervision by our faculty.

After initial rotations in basic surgical anesthesiology, our residents are challenged early on with an array of subspecialty rotations.

By the end of the first year of clinical anesthesia, this experience leads to significant proficiency and a strong foundation.

During the second year, we begin to foster resident’s leadership skills as they begin taking "senior" call. Senior call provides residents the opportunity to help coordinate the care of anesthesia under the supervision of faculty.

During the third and last year of clinical anesthesia, the senior resident is further maturing in his/her leadership skills.

Senior residents manage complex cases, engage in research, teach junior residents, and take electives of their choosing.

Senior residents have more time to pursue fellowships, job opportunities, study for boards, and prepare for the next phase of their career. Our senior residents leave poised to contribute to the field of anesthesiology.

Breakdown of Clinical Anesthesia Years

CA-1: The CA-1 year begins with an intensive orientation in July whereby CA-1’s are paired with a senior resident for the entire month. This provides a safe and comfortable transition to clinical anesthesiology. In addition, each day that month a lecture on the basic principles of delivering anesthetic care is given to spark further reading and understanding. Rotations during CA-1 include:

• Pediatric Anesthesia
• Obstetrical Anesthesia
• Neuroanesthesia
• Pre-surgical Evaluation Clinic
• Critical Care
• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit
• Echocardiography
• Cardiothoracic Anesthesia 

By the end of CA-1 year, our residents have a very strong foundation and are extremely capable in providing anesthetic care.

CA-2: The CA-2 year continues to develop resident skills in the areas of obstetrical anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, cardiothoracic anesthesia, ambulatory anesthesia, and critical care. 

During this year, residents will begin training in acute and chronic pain management. During the acute pain service, residents perform a variety of peripheral nerve blocks with the use of ultrasound.

Residents also perform consultations and follow hospital patients requiring pain consultations. The chronic pain service provides a wide array of clinical material.  Residents learn the clinical and interventional management of chronic pain during their time in our chronic pain clinic.

Blocks with aid of fluoroscopy as well as insertion of spinal cord stimulators are handled in the procedure rooms.

CA-3: By the beginning of the CA-3 year, MetroHealth residents have largely completed all cases required by the ACGME. Half of the year is devoted to the care of complicated surgical anesthesia cases.  The other half is given to electives the resident chooses. The electives are composed of subspecialty areas. In addition, dedicated time to research and scholarly activity may be chosen.