Twenty-five percent of each year of the residency program is allocated for professional development. Residents are required to undertake a research project while at Tufts, pertaining to the field of veterinary surgery. The results must be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. The training program at Tufts University is designed to develop the knowledge and skill of the resident in clinical large animal surgery. The resident has the responsibility for maintaining the high level of organization and dedication necessary for completion of the program.
Training progresses in a step-wise fashion, depending on the candidate's knowledge and skill.
Clinical patients are assigned to a resident jointly with one of the surgery faculty throughout the training period. All aspects of case management are discussed with the resident in training. As knowledge and experience are gained, the surgical resident is allowed more freedom in total case management, but is obliged to maintain communication with the assigned faculty member about the patient's status. Major decisions about surgical therapy or changes in case management are arrived at through this communication, hence the resident's individual knowledge and skills are developed progressively over the three year period. Continuation in the program from year to year is contingent upon satisfactory performance.