DIDACTICS

 

 

Our didactics follow the SAEM core curriculum on an 18 month cycle.  Each week the residents have four hours of didactics and small group discussion (synchronous learning) and one hour of asynchronous, self-directed learning.  Each month, the conferences are based on a general core topic in emergency medicine.  The sim labs, asynchronous learning, and journal clubs have the same topic focus. The four hours of didactic lecture per week include core topics in Emergency Medicine that are presented by staff, selected specialists and guest lecturers. Conferences include:

• Morbidity and Mortality conference
• Interesting case conference
• Toxicology conference
• Journal Club
• Cadaver lab
• Ultrasound lab
• Simulation lab

One hour of asynchronous learning is provided each week in the form of home study or group study modules.  Residents complete a home study module, including a post-test, and then the topic is covered in the didactic conference. 

In-service exams and oral board review are provided to prepare residents for the Emergency Medicine Board certification exams.

All residents become certified at the provider level in BLS, ACLS, ATLS and PALS and become instructor certified in ACLS as well.

The program funds attendance at national or regional Emergency Medicine conferences for presentation of any accepted research. Outstanding residents will be selected to attend the ACEP Scientific Assembly and the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine meetings each year.

 

 

Cadaver and Simulation Labs

Resident simulation and cadaver labs are held at least quarterly for each class and provide an outstanding opportunity to practice complex cases and learn critical care procedures.  LSU is proud to boast a multi-million dollar, state of the art simulation lab with multiple human patient simulators available for resident use for cases, dissection, and procedural experience.  Residents also have monthly opportunities to teach simulation cases and procedural skills to rotating EM clerkship students.

In addition, the LSU Emergency Medicine Program historically has had a strong working relationship with the LSU Medical School.  Human cadaver labs are incorporated throughout the freshman and sophomore anatomy blocks.  These student cadaver labs are taught by Emergency Medicine residents.  Residents are encouraged to volunteer their time to teach medical students and have the opportunity to further improve their proficiency in critical care procedures during these labs.

 

Difficult Airway Course

Residents participate in a difficult airway course led by nationally recognized airway faculty. The course involves a mixture of advanced didactics and simulation labs. While the course provides a structured formal framework in the management of the difficult airway, the principles of the nationally recognized difficult airway course are expoused throughout the entire residency training experience. 

 

 

Ultrasound Lab

During the yearly PGY didactic blocks, residents participate in an ultrasound lab.  In addition, the ultrasound faculty provide ultrasound lectures with hands-on lab sessions several times a year during the resident conference times.