| Fellowship Type: |
Surgical Critical Care/Trauma |
| Description: |
Philosophy: The Critical Care Fellowship Program at the University of Alabama, Birmingham provides an opportunity for the fellow to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the pathophysiology of critical care, treatment of the most severely injured/critically ill patients, and advanced skill in critical care techniques. The fellowship is a balanced program committed to excellent clinical exposure, as well as the refinement of the participant's research and administrative abilities. The educational program consists of a combination of mentoring by faculty, didactic and Socratic instruction, hands-on experience, and self-education.
University Hospital is the only American College of Surgeons (ACS) verified Level I trauma center in the state of Alabama. The Trauma Service receives patients from a primary catchment area of a seven county region served by Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS), in addition to referrals from all of Alabama and surrounding states.
Overview: The fellow will be provided an in depth knowledge of therapeutic maneuvers and diagnostic modalities to manage the polytrauma patient, as well as the failing pre- and postoperative surgical patient. This will not only include the realm of general surgery, but will also include neurosurgical, transplant, and cardiothoracic patients. The fellow is exposed to modalities such as CRRT, ECMO and TEE in our ICUs, in addition to more routine invasive hemodynamic monitoring and ventilator management strategies.
The fellow has full responsibility as trauma team leader, gaining a broad range of experience in the management of blunt and penetrating trauma. The fellows become proficient in the evaluation of critically-ill and injured patients; the initiation of appropriate and complete diagnostic evaluation; the development and implementation of patient care plans; providing leadership which facilitates the interaction within the entire team of caregivers and with the patients and their families. |