Didactic Curriculum

The Didactic curriculum at UMass is designed to encourage the adult learner.  We see to help the fellow increase their knowledge through lectures and independent study and to develop their clinical judgement skills through case studies and discussion.  This is combined with participation in several internationally recognized certification programs. The didactic curriculum includes:

1. Multidisciplinary Critical Care Conference (weekly). This includes Journal Club, SICU M&M, and CCM lectures by ICU faculty and guest lecturers. 
2. Ultrasound Seminar (Monthly). Spearheaded by Pulm/CCM Medicine
3. ICU Didactic Lecture (twice weekly). These lectures are standard for all ICU residents and repeat each month.  Initially given by the ICU attendings, as the year progresses, the ICU fellow may assume the educator role during these sessions.
4. Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine Grand Rounds (weekly). This includes a monthly Quality Improvement Conference and lectures on Anesthesiology topics by faculty members, guest lecturers and senior anesthesiology residents.
5. Bedside Trauma Surgery Rounds (weekly). Lead by our Trauma Surgery team, bedside rounds covers common trauma and surgical ICU topics for one hour each week.

In addition, all fellows receive certification in:

1. Basic and Advanced FATE (Focused Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography).  This two day course is provided free-of-charge to all of our fellows - http://usabcd.org/
2. Emergency Neurological Life Support - http://www.neurocriticalcare.org/enls

Through the UMass Chan iCELS simulation center, opportunities exist to receive certification in:

1. Advanced Trauma Life Support
2. Pediatric Advanced Life Support

Fellow as Teacher:  Our fellows get the unique opportunity to participate in the education of many levels of trainees, including UMass Chan medical students, interns, multi-specialty resident physicians, and AP learners.  Our fellow annually participates in several teaching opportunities including: 

1. Introduction to FATE Didactics & Hands on with our 8 Categorical PGY-1 Anesthesiology residents with an ICU faculty member

2. Transitioning to Clinical Clerkships Simulation - a multi day simulation with the MSIIs prior to their transition to clinical clerkships

3. Mock Oral board examinations for our CA1, CA2 and CA3 residents - a recent addition, added due to feedback from our fellow, to help prepare for how the oral board examiners think about cases.  This is administered with a faculty member. 

All fellows also have the opportunity to take the SCCM MCCKAP examination each spring.