Anesthesiology Residency Program Structure

Clinical Base Year

The University of Connecticut Anesthesiology Residency Program, in conjunction with the Residency Programs in Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Emergency Medicine, are pleased to offer a limited number of categorical (four-year) residency positions. Below is the approximate rotation lineup for the clinical base year (each block is four weeks in duration):

  • Anesthesiology: 1 block
  • Inpatient Internal Medicine: 4 blocks
  • Inpatient Surgery: 3 blocks
  • Intensive Care: 2 blocks
  • Emergency Medicine: 1 block
  • Electives (e.g., pulmonary medicine, nephrology, cardiology): 2 blocks
  • Vacation: 3 weeks

Curriculum

The table below shows the number of blocks assigned to each rotation during the three years of clinical anesthesiology training. Note that the third year is largely elective, with residents given the opportunity to select rotations best suited to their clinical interests.

Rotation CA-1 CA-2 CA-3
Basics of Anesthesia 9    
Intensive Care 1 1 (0-2)
Obstetric Anesthesia 1 1 (0-4)
Cardiac Anesthesia 1 1 (0-4)
Ambulatory Anesthesia   1 (0-2)
Chronic Pain   1 (0-5)
Neuroanesthesia   1 (0-5)
Thoracic/Vascular Anesthesia   1 (0-5)
Airway   1  
Regional Anesthesia   2 (0-4)
Pediatric Anesthesia   2 (0-4)
PACU   1 (0-4)
Preoperative Evaluation 1    
Advanced Clinical Anesthesia     2 (2-4)
Supervisory     1
Echocardiography     (0-1)
Clinical Scientist     (3-6)

Didactics

Our comprehensive education program is designed to provide a framework to ensure academic achievement. Residents are always relieved from clinical duties to attend weekly 2 to 4 hour formal didactic sessions. These sessions include lectures, journal club, case discussions, resident presentations, biostatistics, and in-depth review of topics selected from the American Board of Anesthesiology content outline. Each clinical site also conducts a weekly educational activity such as a morbidity and mortality conference and subspecialty lectures. Residents also benefit from an oral board preparation course and the opportunity to practice with three of our faculty members who serve as examiners for the American Board of Anesthesiology.

A Day in the Life of a Resident

First 3 Months of CA - 1 Year

  • No call
  • 1:1 supervision
  • Tuesday through Thursday introductory lecture series

After First 3 Months

  • Average of 5 to 6 calls per four-week block
  • Usually two full weekends off

Typical Day

  • Arrive at hospital 06:30 to setup room and see first patient in preoperative area
  • Take first patient into OR (07:15 - 07:45 depending on hospital)
  • Breaks: 15 minute morning break; 30 minute lunch break; 15 minute afternoon break
  • Relieved from OR duty at approximately 17:00 if not on call

Conferences

  • Monday afternoons
    • Two 2-hour conferences (16:00 - 18:00) and two 4-hour conferences (16:00 - 20:00) each month
    • One simulation session (16:00 - 20:00) every 3 months
    • Residents are relieved from clinical duties to attend all conferences
    • Most conferences include a light meal

Vacation

  • All residents get three weeks of vacation each year
  • CA-2 and CA-3 residents get an additional "optional week" which may be used for vacation, research, meetings, or other activities
  • CA-3 residents get one week for interviewing

Meetings and Conferences

  • Total of 3 weeks of conference time, which may be taken during the CA-2 and/or CA-3 year
  • Up to $2000 for attending a scientific or educational meeting
  • All residents are required to submit a scholarly presentation for presentation at a regional or national meeting. If the submission accepted for presentation, additional funding is provided.

Education Fund (for Books, Laptop, etc.)

  • For categorical residents (PGY1-PGY4): $2750
  • For advanced residents (PGY2-PGY4): $2500