UVA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Educational Program

 

Clinical Rotations

PGY-1                   PGY-2                 PGY-3             PGY-4                    PGY-5

6mo. G. Surg         Hand*                     Hand*              Trauma*                   Hand*

3mo. Ortho            Joints/Oncology     Peds/Float        Foot/Ankle*             Joints/Onc

1mo. Anesths         Spine*                    Lab                 Sports*                     Spine*

1mo. ER                 Peds                       Roanoke*        Roanoke*                 Peds

1mo. Radiology     Sports*                    Roanoke*        Roanoke*                Sports*

*One-on-one preceptorships with attendings

 

Residency Curriculum

The University of Virginia Department of Orthopaedic Surgery matches five residents per year. Our program consists of categorical 5-year and 6-year training programs. Traditionally our program has matched three Orthopaedic residents into the 5-year track and two residents into the 6-year track. Residents in our six-year program do a year of basic science research during the PGY-2/PGY-3 years.

PGY-1: Our first year Orthopaedic Interns have a diverse experience. The Orthopaedic Internship includes 3 months of Orthopaedic Surgery, 6 months of General Surgery, 1 month of Emergency Medicine, 1 month of Muskuloskeletal Radiology, and 1 month of Anesthesia.

On Orthopaedic Surgery months, interns function as float residents, gaining experience on our Sports Medicine, Spine, Pediatrics, Total Joints, and Hand Surgery services. During the 6 months on General Surgery, our Interns rotate on General Surgery (2-3 months, one of which is at the Salem VA Hospital), Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Trauma Surgery.

 

PGY-2: As a second year Ortho resident (Ortho-2), there are five 10-week blocks. Ortho-2 residents rotate on Sports Medicine*, Spine*, Pediatrics, Total Joints, and the Hand Surgery* services.

Residents who are in the 6-year track spend a year in the laboratory doing basic science research. This has traditionally been a year free of clinical duties, including call, and provides the resident with the opportunity for independent research leading to publications and resident grants. Lab residents have the opportunity to attend clinical conferences.

PGY-3: Third year Ortho residents (Ortho-3) rotate on Hand Surgery* (10 weeks), Pediatrics (4 weeks), act as float resident (6 weeks), and spend time in the laboratory (10 weeks). Our Ortho-3 residents spend a total of 20 weeks at our satellite orthopaedic program in Roanoke, VA covering Emergency Room Ortho consults (10 weeks), and acting as a float resident* (10 weeks).

 

PGY-4: Fourth year Ortho residents (Ortho-4) spend 30 weeks in Charlottesville rotating on Ortho Trauma* (10 weeks), Foot and Ankle* (10 weeks) and Sports Medicine* (10 weeks). The Ortho-3 residents also spend 20 weeks in Roanoke, VA as the Chief resident* on the Ortho Trauma service (10 weeks) and as the trauma/outpatient resident (10 weeks).

PGY-5 (Chief year): Fifth year Ortho residents (Ortho-5) spend the entire year in Charlottesville and repeat the Ortho-2 rotations as the Chief Resident. These services include Sports Medicine* (Chair’s resident), Spine*, Pediatrics, Total Joints, and Hand Surgery.

Fellows: Our Department has accredited fellowships in Sports Medicine, Spine Surgery (Dr. Arlet’s service), Total Joint Arthroplasty, and Hand Surgery (shared with Plastic Surgery).

Orthopaedic Surgery Call Schedule

Our residents work no more than 80 hours per week in accordance with the ACGME mandate instituted July 1, 2003.

Each day an attending surgeon is on call as well as a Chief resident. All Ortho admissions and consultations are assigned to the attending’s team, not the chief resident’s.Orthopaedic call responsibilities

Ortho-1: q4-7d in-house on General Surgery services and q7d Ortho junior call when on Ortho, Anesthesia, and MSK radiology.

Ortho-2: Service assigned day-call plus q7d in-house call. Home next day after night call.

Ortho-3:Ch’ville: q5d home-call; Roanoke: q4d home-call and home the next day.

Ortho-4:Ch’ville: q5d home-call; Roanoke: q4d home-call and home the next day.

Chief:q5d home-call.Day ER call

From 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday an Ortho-1 or Ortho-2 resident covers Emergency Room consultations. Daily coverage is assigned by service (ie. Ortho-1 Total Joint resident covers Thursdays). Day Floor call

From 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, floor calls about particular patients are directed to the attending surgeon’s team (residents).Night time call

ER Consults: From 4 p.m. until 11 p.m., a mid-level resident (Ortho-2 or Ortho-3) covers on home call. From 11 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., a junior resident (Ortho-1 or Ortho-2) or the lab resident covers in-house call.

Floor calls: From 4 p.m. until 7:30 a.m., a junior resident (Ortho-1 or Ortho-2) or the lab resident covers in-house call.

Chief call: home call from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. the next day.

Weekend call: ER consultations (7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.) are covered by a mid-level resident (Ortho-2 or Ortho-3). After 11 p.m., the junior (Ortho-1, Ortho-2 or Ortho-3 lab) resident covers ER consults until the next morning. Floor calls and consultations are covered by the Ortho-1, Ortho-2 or Ortho-3 lab resident.