The vascular surgery service is based at twin sites, St. Boniface General Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, with a Risk Factor Clinic located at the Grace General Hospital. The clinical vascular service is a busy one, performing 900-1000 major vascular cases per year (including hemoaccess procedures).

The vascular fellow is based solely at the Vascular Surgery Service, which functions on a designated ward. The Vascular Surgery Service is deemed a separate service from General Surgery.

The Vascular Surgery Service is closely linked to the Interventional Radiology Service, and interaction and discussion between members of the two services occur on a daily basis. A close relationship also exists with the Ultrasound Department. Formal exposure in both these areas is available for the fellow. Vascular outpatients are assessed at an active ambulatory care facility.

In addition to the weekly vascular rounds—which address basic and clinical vascular topics—audit, interdisciplinary, and vascular surgery "professor" rounds, along with journal clubs, form part of the training program. During daily rounds and weekly vascular rounds, the resident/fellow is responsihle to demonstrate adequate teaching skills with junior housestaff and associated staff (nursing).

The vascular fellow has opportunity for basic clinical research. A rotation through the Risk Factor Management Clinic at the Grace General Hospital is also available and encouraged.

A dedicated computer with internet and intranet access is provided for the fellow in a combined resident resource room located at the St. Boniface Hospital (Z3028).

Objectives

The seven generic roles of the specialist physician that have been identified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons delineate the competency framework for the postgraduate vascular surgery training program. The roles are: medical expert/clinical decision-maker, communicator, collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar, and professional (Skills for the new millennium: Report of the societal needs working group, CanMEDS 2005 Project).

These seven major roles outline the key competencies for the vascular surgeon as an independent consultant. They also form the basis for the specific objectives expected of the resident upon completion of the vascular residency training program. The objectives are, in effect, the learning contract between the Program and the Fellow and will form the basis of evaluation of both parties.

These rotation-specific objectives have been developed to define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes expected of the vascular resident rotating through the vascular surgery service. These objectives will be formally reviewed with the resident at the start of the rotation, at quarterly intervals (if not more often), and at the end of the rotation.

Specific components or modules of instruction, including these objectives, are incorporated into the various aspects of the program, such as journal club, vascular rounds, non-invasive rotation, and research. Please refer to each of these topics separately for their specific objectives and details.

The Residency Review Committee meets five to six times per year with a mandate to assess the quality of the educational experience and to review the resources available to the training program. Continual assessment of teaching is an integral activity of the committee. The vascular fellow forms part of this committee and is expected to actively participate in its designated activities. (Evaluation of the fellow is done by the participating faculty in a separate, regular forum that meets at least quarterly.)