Procedures and Guidelines

Mandatory Didactic Course Information

Categories: Surgery Surgical Foundations

Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)

Residents are registered in their R1 year. Saskatoon Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) is a non-profit organization which provides training in trauma management to Saskatchewan physicians and residents. We currently run four courses per calendar year, with two spring and two fall / winter courses. The maximum number of participants per course is 16. Each course has approximately five auditor positions for physicians and non-physician providers. We also welcome all providers and students alike to volunteer as moulage patients for every course. The course fee is currently $1000 and auditor positions are free; however, these prices are subject to change.

For further information, please contact:

Frankie Affleck
Administrative Coordinator
Saskatoon Advanced Trauma Life Support
(306) 227-4440
email: saskatoon.atls@hotmail.com

Clinical Research Methodologies Course (CLR800.3)

On-line course for all R1 Surgery Residents. Course starts January of each year. Residents are scheduled for an orientation session with Kim Sanderson.

  • Vivian R. Ramsden, RN, BSN, MS, PhD, Coordinator CLR800.3 Course

Will provide basic understanding, awareness and skill development in topics necessary for performing clinical research including: study design, research data collection, understanding types of clinical research studies, measurements for quantitative studies, clinical trials, qualitative methodologies, community and Aboriginal-based research, global research, research ethics, communication skills.

Critical Appraisal Course

Residents are registered in their R1 and R2 years. Course is one day long and course dates are around March of each year. Offered by the College of Medicine – Course Coordinator – Dr. Lillian Thorpe

Goals of the course are:

    • To understand the principles of evidence-based health care and the main controversies surrounding its application in practice.
    • To develop skills in the critical appraisal of scientific literature in a manner that will influence your clinical practice.
    • To provide an introduction to the factors which should be taken into account when planning and conducting a research study.

Course format: A full day workshop will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Health Sciences B450 and adjacent rooms. Two plenary sessions will review the principles of critical appraisal. Small group discussions will permit in-depth exploration of selected journal articles. Residents of the same discipline will be placed in the same small group to be led, where possible, by a faculty tutor from the same discipline. Residents are expected to read all required material prior to the Workshop.

Surgical Foundation Seminars

The Surgical Foundations Seminar Series begins in September and is held every second Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 pm with a refresher course held weekly from 4:30-6:00 pm February through March. The objective of this seminar is to acquire knowledge underlying the basic principles of surgery in general, and to prepare the resident to successfully pass the principles of surgery examination. Practice Exams are scheduled February/March.

Surgical Skills Course

This course teaches technical skills and is mandatory for all R1 residents. It takes place once a year in early July.

The course includes Asepsis & instrument identification, Knot tying, suturing, surgical airway, chest tube insertion and central line insertion.

Teaching Improvement Project (TIPS)

Residents play an important role in the teaching of students, resident colleagues, other members of the health care team, and patients. For most physicians, including non-academic physicians, the ability to effectively communicate information in a positive learning environment is important. In recognition of the important role that residents play in teaching and the need for effective teaching skills in practice, the Teaching Improvement Project Systems (TIPS) course provides an opportunity for residents to acquire and strengthen effective teaching skills. All residents are required to take this course and the cost is covered by the College of Medicine. The 2-day course generally receives very positive feedback. Many residents who have completed the course subsequently participate as leaders in future courses.