Program Curriculum | Gastroenterology Fellowship Program

CURRICULUM FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING
UC DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER
DIVISION OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY

 

Overview: Statement of Purpose

The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is committed to providing trainees an educational experience in a nurturing environment that provides the opportunity to learn the clinical and procedural skills necessary to become a competent physician in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The Division recognizes that each trainee has individual strengths, weaknesses and goals. The Curriculum is developed to provide educational opportunities for all types of learners; encompass the knowledge and skills required of all gastroenterologists; and remain flexible in its structure to allow trainees to pursue advanced knowledge and skills related to their career goals.

Faculty & Attendings

Christopher Bowlus, M.D. - Professor and Chief

Anthony Albanese, M.D. - VA Northern CA Health Care System

Amar Al-Juburi, M.D. - Associate Professor

Eric Chak, M.D., M.P.H - Assistant Professor

Maneesh Dave, M.D., M.P.H - Associate Professor

Sarah Flores, M.D. - VA Northern California Health Care System

Juan Carlos Garcia, M.D. - Professor and Clinical Medical Director

Asha Gupta, M.D. - Assistant Professor

Alex Kuo, M.D. – Assistant Professor

Lien Le, M.D. – Assistant Professor

Randy Lee, M.D. - VA Northern CA Health Care System

Joseph Leung, M.D. - Professor Emeritus and Chief of Gastroenterology at VA Northern CA Health Care System

Shilpa Lingala, M.D. - VA Northern California Health Care System

Joseph Marsano, M.D. - Assistant Professor

Valentina Medici, M.D. - Associate Professor

Vikrant Rachakonda, M.D. – VA Northern California Health Care System and UCDH Associate Professor

Souvik Sarkar, M.D., Ph.D. - Assistant Professor

Marmy Shah, M.D. - VA Northern California Health Care System

Homayoun Shojamanesh, M.D. - VA Northern California Health Care System

Jesse Stondell, M.D. - Associate Professor and Fellowship Program Director

Sooraj Tejaswi, M.D., M.S.P.H. - Associate Professor

Cecilia Terrado, M.D. - Professor

Shiro Urayama, M.D. - Professor and Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship Program Director

Anastasia Waechter, M.D. - Staff Physician

Andrew Yen, M.D. - VA Northern California Health Care System

Teaching Locations

University of California Davis Medical Center
VA Mather Medical Center

Educational Purpose

Providing care to patients with complex and advanced gastrointestinal and liver-related diseases that is beyond the training that is provided by an Internal Medicine residency. Specific knowledge of gastrointestinal and liver diseases, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities and specialized procedural skills are necessary to provide care to these groups of patients. The purpose of this fellowship is to train physicians to become competent in the practice of gastroenterology.

Goals and Objectives

Develop competency in the care of gastrointestinal and liver related illnesses in the inpatient setting.

By the completion of the program, the fellow will be able to:

  • Demonstrate mastery of gastroenterology and hepatology knowledge in the areas outlined by the ACGME and published by the American Gastroenterology Association. Click here for The Gastroenterology Core Curriculum.
  • Demonstrate competency in endoscopic skills including EGD, colonoscopy, hemostasis, polypectomy, dilation and removal of foreign objects.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in attitudes with colleagues and peers, empathy in patient care and abilities to interact with other health care providers.
  • Develop competency in the care of gastrointestinal and liver related illnesses in the outpatient setting
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the approach to various gastrointestinal illnesses including general gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, motility and liver disease through the presentation of cases.
  • Demonstrate competency in the performance of endoscopic procedures, liver biopsies and paracentesis.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in attitudes with colleagues and peers, empathy in patient care and abilities to interact with other health care providers.
  • Develop the ability to access medical information, critically assess new information and present a synthesis of this information to an audience of peers.
  • Demonstrate the ability to access literature using computer databases.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically review clinical trials and investigations.
  • Demonstrate the ability to present information to peers in small group discussions and didactic lectures.

Teaching Methods

A variety of teaching methods are used throughout the training program, including experiential learning, didactic lectures, group discussions, self-directed learning, oral case presentations and videotape review. Experiential learning occurs in research, outpatient and inpatient settings and is structured in specific rotations.

Outpatient experience occurs in continuity clinic rotations of 6-month duration throughout the training and include General GI, Hepatology, IBD, Nutrition, Biliary, Pancreatic and Motility clinics.

Inpatient and research rotations of 2-4 week duration include GI Consultations, Liver Consultations, VA Mather Consultations, ERCP and Research.

Details of the methods and venues used in each rotation are given in individual rotation curriculum. Teaching venues include:

  • Teaching Rounds
  • Endoscopy Rounds
  • GI Grand Rounds
  • Journal Review
  • Board (Pathophysiology) Review
  • Pathology Conference
  • Radiology Conference
  • Clinical Case Conference
  • Journal Club
  • CQI

Methods of Evaluation

Assessments of the six core competencies will be made throughout the training period. Specific milestones must be reached at each period of training in order to progress and complete the training program, i.e. be deemed competent in the practice of Gastroenterology. Progress will be reviewed with each fellow on a semi-annual basis with the Program Director. Remediation of any deficiencies will be addressed at that time and a corrective plan of action developed.

The following list outlines the tools used to assess competencies throughout the training program.

Evaluation Tools:

  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills 
  • Medical Knowledge
  • Patient Care 
  • Practice Based Learning 
  • Professionalism 
  • Systems Based Practice
  • Faculty Clinical Evaluations
  • Staff Evaluations
  • Patient Evaluations
  • Student Evaluations  
  • AGA In-Service Exam
  • Research Proposal and Presentation     
  • Case Presentation 
  • Publications  
  • Grand Rounds Presentation 
  • Procedure Logs  
  • Journal Club Presentations 
  • Faculty Research Evaluations    
  • Duty hour Compliance     
  • Medical Records Compliance     
  • Semi-Annual Performance Summary     
  • Program Evaluation          
  • Complaints/Praise 
  • CQI  

Interim Benchmarks for Competency:

  • Faculty Clinical Evaluations 
    A mean overall score not less than 6.0 on a scale of 9 in the prior 6 months of training
    No mean score in any competency area of less than 5.0 on a scale of 9 in the prior 6 months of training
  • Nursing Evaluations
    No mean score in any area of less than 2.0 on a scale of 5 in a year of training
  • Patient Evaluations
    A mean overall score not less than 3.0 on a scale of 5 in a year of training
    No mean score in any area of less than 2.0 on a scale of 5 a year of training
  • AGA In-Service Exam
    Score not less than one standard deviation below the mean score of all fellows of the same year of training on the AGA Gastroenterology Training Exam (GTE).
  • Research Presentation (2nd and 3rd year only)
    Submit a research proposal including background, hypothesis, aims, methods, and references.
    Present the research proposal and final progress.
  • Case Presentation
    Present at least 4 cases in a year.
  • Publications (2nd and 3rd year only)
    Present at least 1 abstract at a national meeting including American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterology Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy or American Association for the Study of Liver Disease.
  • Procedure Log
    Maintain a procedure log in the format indicated by the Program Director.
    Document performance of the minimum number of procedures required according to AGME and ASGE guidelines (whichever is greater), prior to assessing competency
  • Journal Club Presentations
    Present one review of an original article and attend at least 80% of meetings.
  • Faculty Research Evaluations
    No less than a mean overall score of 7.0 on a scale of 9 in the prior 6 months of training
    No mean score in any area of less than 5.0 on a scale of 9 in the prior 6 months of training
  • Duty hour Compliance
    Complete all surveys for duty hour compliance during the prior 6 months of training
    No violations of duty hours in the prior 6 months of training
  • Medical Records Compliance
    No suspension of privileges for medical records violations in the prior 6 months of training.
  • Semi-Annual Performance Summary
    Satisfactorily address any deficiencies identified in the most recent summary.
  • MS 2 Study Section Participation
    Participate in a MS2 Study Section for IMD420 B course
  • Complaints/Praise
    Satisfactorily address any complaints or letters from faculty, support staff or patients
  • CQI
    Present all cases involved in to CQI
    Attend 80% of CQI meetings

Curriculum Review and Revision
The curriculum should be evaluated by faculty and fellows annually and revised at least every three years. The responsibility for curriculum review and revision will be delegated to the Curriculum Review Committee composed of the Program Director and the Associate Program Director.