Senior residents function relatively independently by the end of their training. An average of at least five hours per week are scheduled for grand rounds, morbidity and mortality conference, resident lectures and other core conferences in emergency medicine. Clinical rotation schedules are arranged to allow maximum attendance. At these weekly conferences, faculty from both training sites participate, and emergency medicine practitioners give the vast majority of lectures. Outside guest lecturers also participate as visiting professors.
Residents have progressive lecture responsibilities to develop teaching and public speaking skills.
A monthly journal club is held outside the hospital to discuss selected topics, help develop medical review skills, and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere. The division offers national postgraduate Continuing Medical Education conferences at nearby resorts, which are available free to the the residents. More than 60 percent of all hospital patients are admitted through the emergency department. Eighty percent of these admissions are due to blunt trauma. UC Davis Medical Center serves as a base station for 911 ambulance calls throughout the Sacramento area.