The first year provides a broad exposure to the principle and secondary components of general surgery. The resident does a series of one month rotations on a variety of surgical services where emphasis is placed on pre-and postoperative management, and basic technical skills. The first year residents also have the opportunity to have one month of elective of choice. During this year, first year residents are instructed and nurtured by faculty and senior residents as they gain experience and confidence in patient management, invasive procedures, and simple operations. The second postgraduate year has been designed to complement the exposure and skills obtained in the first year.
Emphasis is placed on surgical critical care and operative technique.
The remainder of the year is spent in general surgery at Temple , Jeanes Hospital , plus one month of the Burn Unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center . On these rotations the second year resident gains the experience and judgement to manage the sickest of surgical patients, and also begins to master the craft of surgery. The third postgraduate year provides an intensive experience in general surgery and surgical subspecialities. Residents assume significant responsibility for the diagnostic evaluation and surgical care of patients. The fourth year resident assumes greater responsibility in patient care and in fact the senior resident is running the service on all rotations.