In addition to competence in patient care, the anesthesiology residency curriculum prepares physicians to become diplomates of the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). As part of preparation for the ABA examinations, residents complete problem-based learning exercises and simulation scenarios throughout the three years of training. Didactic sessions are specifically tailored to prepare residents for the In-Training Exam (ITE), BASIC, and ADVANCED written exams. Mock oral boards sessions are another part of the preparation for board-certification examinations.
Medical simulation is a core component of training future anesthesiologists. The 30,000-square-foot Simulation Center in Fairbanks Hall at the IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis campus provides additional educational diversity. Formative OSCE training scenarios in the simulation environment prepare residents for the APPLIED portion of the board certification exam.
In addition, the Department of Anesthesia participates in weekly Grand Rounds that feature clinical case presentations, journal clubs, morbidity and mortality conferences, and presentations by nationally renowned visiting professors. Attendance and scholarly presentations at American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC), and other anesthesia society meetings is encouraged and supported during residency training.