This resident attends to the labor and delivery, and performs cesarean section if indicated, under the supervision of a family medicine consultant. If complications develop beyond the scope of family medicine, obstetrical consultation is obtained. The family medicine service has had a weekly day to perform surgery in the operating theatre. Common elective surgeries include hernia repairs, hydrocelectomies, anal fistulectomies, and excisional biopsies. From 30 to 50 major operations have been performed annually, and about the same number of minor procedures have been performed.
Surgical consultation is immediately available when required.
Though residents rotate through other specialty departments in the traditional manner as well, they return to the family medicine service between rotations to maintain skills previously acquired. Senior residents of the Family Medicine Department are posted in 3 month blocks to act as medical superintendent of a rural comprehensive health center affiliated with the teaching hospital. The posting gives residents opportunity to independently manage a small hospital. An operating room allows residents to perfect surgical skills and provide comprehensive care. Observations Several advantages of family medicine training in the teaching hospital, particularly with an inpatient service, have been observed.