Textbooks are provided. Students also participate in departmental conferences, including Morbidity and Mortality Conference. Night call is limited to one or two days, and affords exposure to trauma, recovery room management, and obstetric anesthesia. The LSU Department of Anesthesiology is affiliated with the Veterans Administration Hospital, where students may request to rotate. Students are graded not only on their performance in the operating room, but also on the interest demonstrated in reading, regularity of attendance, and participation in anesthesia conferences.
Students have the opportunity to receive instruction in anesthesia on a preceptorship basis.
Under faculty supervision they will administer anesthetics in surgical areas. Emphasis is placed upon inhalation, intravenous and regional anesthesia as well as advanced monitoring and management of cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in order that the students may obtain insight into anesthesia as a specialty. No formal examination will be given, but frequent oral and occasional written quizzes on anesthesia topics will be given to stimulate the learning processes. Time permitting, students are also allowed to observe the delivery of care in the critical care units and management of patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Performance is graded by the department chairman in consultation with the other staff anesthesiologists.