PGY-2

The resident learns the elements of urological diagnosis, pre- and postoperative care, and surgical technique (under the direction of the staff and chief resident). The PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents perform most of the instrumentation of patients under staff supervision, and see all hospital consultations, take a complete history, physical, and other indicated preliminary studies before staff disposition. Residents are encouraged to work closely with the other services, especially general surgery, transplantation, radiology, and nephrology, when treating renal vascular disease and renal failure.

PGY-3

The resident assumes more responsibility in the pre- and postoperative management of all urological patients. He or she performs surgical procedures under staff supervision. PGY 3 residents will rotate on our pediatric urology service at Ochsner Clinic Foundation. He or she performs surgical procedures under staff supervision. In the emergency room, the PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents see all patients and make a disposition of each case with chief resident consultation. The chief year resident performs most emergency surgery generated by the Emergency Department with staff supervision.

PGY-4

Each PGY-4 resident spends six months on the Pediatric Urology Service.

The other six months are spent in the management, evaluation and treatment of patients with increasing responsibility. This resident covers for the chief resident when at meetings or vacation.

PGY-5 (Chief Resident)

The fourth year of the training program provides the chief resident with the opportunity to exhibit leadership skills and assist the staff with coordination of didactic and educational courses within the department. This year is designed to enhance residents' diagnostic ability, surgical judgment and operative skills. The chief resident is given responsibility in such areas as patient care, teaching, organization and administration based on his or her skill and experience.

Call Schedule

Call schedules are alternated among junior residents, with the chief resident available for consultation. Emergency patients are admitted upon the recommendation of the chief resident to the staff urologist on call. Residents make daily ward rounds with their respective staff members. Excellent outpatient experience is gained during the first four years of urological training at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation. Junior residents are assigned to the outpatient department to work-up new and established patients which are with the staff. A disposition is decided in a manner that stimulates resident participation. The resident gains considerable experience in instrumentation, particularly cystoscopic, urodynamic, and ultrasound procedures in the clinic. The clinic experience provides continuity of care and gives the resident an opportunity to work-up a patient preoperatively and follow-up in the postoperative period. Rsidents gain an excellent foundation for practicing office urology in the program.