Program Goals
Program Goals and Objectives
The goal of the cardiothoracic training program at Columbia University Medical Center is to train individuals as surgeons and as leaders in the field of cardiac and thoracic surgery. The minimum expectations for each rotation follow. Clinical experience is supplemented by 3-4 didactic conferences each week. Applicants and residents should be familiar with these guidelines. Comments and questions are welcome.
- To provide trainees with actual knowledge and technical proficiency in the preoperative evaluation, operative management, and postoperative care of patients with diseases of the chest.
- To provide adequate clinical experience to allow trainees to become comfortable with common scenarios and familiar with complex and less common forms of cardiothoracic disease.
- To foster in trainees characteristics necessary for the provision of humane and compassionate care.
- To provide trainees the ability to perform and interpret diagnostic studies.
- To provide experience in the management of patients in an intensive care setting.
- To provide an environment in which clinical and basic science literature can be evaluated and assessed critically, leading to sound conclusions.
- To provide the ability and desire to ask important questions and initiate investigative studies to further the science of cardiothoracic surgery.
- To foster attitudes and interpersonal skills that will allow a trainee to communicate well with peers and patients, and to carry him or herself with dignity.
