Resident Experience

Teaching Conferences

Conferences are a staple learning tool used in our department. Faculty give core lectures covering topics from CREOG Education Objectives. Grand Round lectures cover pertinent topics used in the day to day activities of resident life. Each service covered below is included in
topics covered in our conferences.

General Obstetrics and Gynecology

The accumulation of experience and knowledge in general obstetrics and gynecology is a lifelong process with contributions from all sections of the department. Teaching in ambulatory care is also part of the resident core lecture series. Teaching in these areas covers management of common problems in ambulatory gynecology and the prenatal management of routine obstetrical patients.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has approximately 2,200 annual deliveries, of which approximately 40% of these deliveries prove
to be "high-risk".

Twenty-four hour anesthesia services are provided by the Department
of Anesthesiology. Principles of obstetrical anesthesia and anesthetic techniques are taught by these specialists.

Over 14,000 patients were seen in the gynecology clinics. Approximately 850 major operative procedures and approximately 760 minor procedures were performed.  Continuity clinics allow for complete preoperative evaluation and trial of conservative medical therapy prior to scheduling
for surgery.  Statistics and complications are presented on a weekly
basis at the Practice Based Learning Conference in rotation.

An endoscopy laboratory has been established to give residents hands on experience with laparoscopy. Robotic surgery is currently being performed on this service as well.

Instruction and experience in urogynecology, including Urodynamics, is part of the PGY-II, III & IV resident experience on the outpatient service.

Gynecologic Oncology

The residents gain experience and knowledge in gynecologic malignancies through formal teaching sessions, teaching rounds and conferences, outpatient chemotherapy, critical care and surgical and medical management of radiation therapy patients. Residents at the PGY-I, II and IV levels are assigned to this service. In addition, during the PGY-IV year, there is a gynecological oncology rotation in the community. A weekly tumor board meets and reviews all new cancer diagnoses along with pathology and radiology review.  

Infertility and Endocrinopathies

The PGY-II resident assigned to the Endocrine and Infertility Service see both staff and private outpatients, participate in most procedures and participate on microscopic and macroscopic reconstructive surgery.

Genetic Disorders

There are several areas in the Ob/Gyn program in which residents are exposed to both practical clinical application and didactic material relating to genetic disorders. 

The most intense exposure occurs on rotations during the PGY-II and III years in the Ob/Gyn Diagnostic Center where there is an antenatal genetic testing clinic.  Residents have ample access to information and experience related to genetics. Members of the Human Genetics Department attend rounds and topics of genetics are covered in our core lecture series.

Ultrasonography 

The Department of Gynecology operates and supervises five “state of
the art” ultrasound systems utilizing both linear and phased array sector scanning.  Consequently, exposure to obstetrical ultrasound is abundant. 

PGY-I-IV are specifically assigned to the Ob/Gyn diagnostic testing center.  Residents gain proficiency in the performance and interpretation of routine Level I obstetrical ultrasound as well as Level II fetal imaging.   Residents are also educated in the various modalities of fetal surveillance.

Family Planning

Residents receive both classroom instruction and extensive clinical experience in family planning.  Core lectures emphasize the physiology
of the menstrual cycle, the principles of fertility regulation, oral contraception and sterilization procedures.  These topics are repeated
on a two year cycle.

Outside Rotations 

The VCU Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is fortunate to have an outside rotation for PGY-III residents. The Sentara Obici Hospital in Suffolk, Virginia is a well established resident rotation allowing residents to care for both private and indigent patients. 

In addition, during the Community GynOnc rotation, PGY-IV residents obtain valuable surgical and post-operative experience, while being supervised by Dr. Randal West at CJW Medical Center.

Resident Evaluation 

There are several methods of resident evaluation. Residents are all enrolled in the annual CREOG In-Training Examination, supervised in their technical procedures on all of their operative rotation and, at the conclusion of each rotation, all residents are formally evaluated regarding their attitude, patient relationships, teaching ability, sense of responsibility, etc.  

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