New interns attend neurosurgery “boot camp”

July 2010

OHSU’s Department of Neurological Surgery conducted a two-day training course for 30 western regional PGY1 residents July 9 and 10. Dubbed a fundamental skills “boot camp,” the training course is part of a nationwide effort by the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS) to provide basic clinical, professionalism and communication skills development for PGY1 residents.Nathan Selden, MD, PhD, Campagna Professor and Residency Program Director, Department of Neurological Surgery, guided the national implementation of the program as Chair of the Boot Camps Subcommittee for SNS. “The boot camp courses were designed by senior neurosurgical educators committed to patient safety and professionalism,” said Dr. Selden. “We focus on competency-based topics, interactive learning and simulation during the training, and our goal is for continuous evaluation and improvement.”From medical knowledge to professionalism, patient care to interpersonal skills, the boot camp touches on all facets of a junior intern’s experience. Day one of thetraining course is structured in a traditional lecture format, while day two puts participants in operating rooms, recreating bedside neurosurgical procedures.Six courses took place in regional centers nationwide during the month of July to maximize neurosurgical intern participation. Over 90 percent of incoming PGY1 residents from ACGME accredited programs participated in the inaugural 2010 courses. OHSU’s two neurological surgery residents were joined by 28 colleagues for the Portland training; 13 faculty from OHSU, the University of Washington, UCLA, UCSD, UCSF and UC Davis led the course.

Pictured: Dr. Nathan Selden provides hands-on guidance to PGY1 residents during a neurosurgery “boot camp.”