Residency Program Aims

In the manual since June 25, 2020

To develop a residency program curriculum that covers all aspects of residency education as detailed in the American Board of Dermatology Content Outline (Appendix P) and the Program Requirements for Residency Education in Dermatology (Appendix Q) that “provide educational and practical experiences that result in delivery of superior specialized care to patients with diseases of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes.”
To develop evaluation tools that adequately assess the resident’s performance in the six core competencies as set forth by the ACGME: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based-learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. Additional details regarding these competencies can be found at the ACGME website- www.acgme.org.
To enhance all areas of residency education by:

Increasing faculty participation and development on a consistent basis
Involving faculty members in a formal role for each major component of the residency program
Increasing the learning expectations of the residents in a supportive and nurturing environment
Providing the technology support to develop new teaching initiatives such as web-based conferencing
Developing an environment where teaching and learning is both rigorous yet rewarding for faculty members and residents
Setting objective goals that can serve as measurement of educational and academic success, such as but not limited to:
Participation by each resident in original investigative work
Participation of each resident in research projects, including IRB protocol development and submission
Presentation of original investigative work at regional and national meetings
Participation in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
To develop and present posters annually at regional and national meetings
To publish original works in peer-reviewed journals
To improve basic and certification examination scores and exceed national median scores
Minimizing unnecessary administrative and other non-academic responsibilities.
Developing the residency curriculum where each successive year of training provides more personal growth and development of clinical and educational skills
Increasing the maturing resident’s role as teacher each year to assist with self-confidence and growth.
Creating an environment that fosters the development of future academic dermatologists.
Developing an environment of mutual understanding of both faculty and residents with regard to the unique needs and demands of each group.
Developing and implementing changes in the residency program through interactive discussion, debate and resolution
Developing a Resident Mentorship Program whereby each resident is paired up with a faculty mentor who will provide guidance and support in academic activities and career goals.
Recognizing that the teaching environment is very dynamic and being reactive to new demands or developing new initiatives that are needed and are done in a collaborative fashion.
Ensuring that the faculty and residents will meet twice yearly to discuss the program dynamics.
Developing the chief residency position as one of administrative liaison with the residency program coordinator and director, but more importantly as the chief academic representative of the residency program. The chief resident(s) will be instrumental in assisting with overseeing of the residents’ clinical schedules, but also supporting and enforcing the academic responsibilities of all residents. The chief resident(s) will also assist with scheduling of all academic and teaching activities.
Developing the leadership skills of the chief resident(s) with the assistance and resources of the Graduate Medical Education office at SSM Health.
Developing the group dynamics, wellness and organizational skills of the residency program with the assistance and resources of the Graduate Medical Education office at Saint Louis University and other wellness initiatives.
Developing the role of the residency program coordinator as the chief liaison for communications between the residency program and the department.
Ensuring that physician extenders will serve to enhance and assist the residency program in areas of patient care, administrative responsibilities and teaching activities.
Encouraging alumni engagement with the program, recognizing alumni importance in supporting and promoting educational pursuits and success.

The department will support attendance at medical conferences both financially and with time allowed, as outlined later in this manual.