CONFERENCES AND OTHER LEARNING OPPROTUNITIES

Morning Report

Morning report, conducted by the Chief Residents, is held from 8:00-9:00 am every weekday at the Tulane and Ochsner Hospitals -- except for Thursdays, when Grand Rounds take place. All residents and the faculty involved in the patient's care are encouraged to attend. Morning report is an interactive, non-threatening, learning experience based on a recent admission to the wards, ER or a resident 's clinic patient. The case is presented including history, physical examination, laboratory and other studies. A differential diagnosis is then created and reviewed. Finally, a treatment plan is derived. Housestaff regard this conference as essential to learning the differential diagnosis and treatment of many common and uncommon problems encountered in pediatrics.

Grand Rounds

Grand Rounds is held every Thursday from 8:00 - 9:00 am at both the Tulane and Ochsner locations. In addition to experts from within our two campuses, this conference attracts guest speakers from across the country to share information on timely topics in pediatrics. Residents are encouraged to participate and to present cases, with the faculty providing the up-to-date didactic information.

Noon Conferences

This daily conference is attended by housestaff and is held at either the Ochsner or Tulane campuses and video-conferenced to the other sites. This one-hour educational session concentrates on our core curriculum and encompasses the materials for pediatric residency programs proposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The typical format includes a formal lecture by faculty on pertinent pediatric topics using a case-based presentation. Preparation for the American Board of Pediatrics certification examination is also emphasized at these conferences.

Other Conferences

Many other conferences occur, including various subspecialty conferences (cardiology, infectious disease, genetics, ambulatory pediatrics, monthly journal club, ethics, monthly morbidity and mortality, etc.) The Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, a world-renowned leader in its field, also holds conferences that are open to residents with an interest in public health and tropical medicine.

New Orleans is a popular site for local, regional, and national medical groups to hold their educational or research meetings. Residents are encouraged to attend and participate as much as their clinical responsibilities will allow.

In addition to structured conferences, self directed learning modules, small group discussions and workshops complement the residents' learning opportunities. Mock codes in the intensive care areas, as well as the inpatient units, serve to sharpen residents' clinical skills. The observation of histories and physical examinations of patients by a faculty member give the residents and interns immediate feedback on their clinical skills. All residents are PALS and NRP certified. A neonatal skills lab in the vivarium offers hands on experience in intubation and insertion of chest tube for all interns. All learning activities are organized and utilized to attain expertise in the six competancies recognized by the ACGME.