Clinical Experience

Our Fellowship is organized to teach fellows the skills they need as they are maintaining a well balance of outpatient clinical care, surgical care, and research to ensure their success as well-rounded academic leaders after graduation.

Year 1

CLINICAL / OFFICE

Rotation Description

This rotation will introduce fellows to the subspecialty practice of FPMRS in an academic setting.

Educational Goals

• Understand indications for diagnostic testing and imaging to evaluate pelvic floor disorders
• Become comfortable with the basic and clinical science, clinical presentation and treatment of common pelvic floor conditions
• Demonstrate competence in understanding of FPMRS subjects.
• Assist/perform diagnostic and surgical procedures under direct supervision

SURGERY SERVICE

Rotation Description

The first year will expose the fellow to the advanced principles of surgical management of pelvic floor disorders. During the surgery rotation the fellow will develop a solid foundation for the development of surgical skills in the operating room. By the end of the surgery rotation the fellow will be comfortable overseeing the care of patients as they transition from the pre-operative holding area, the operating room and through their inpatient recovery. Fellows will assist in the supervision and education of OB/GYN resident trainees that rotate on the Urogynecology Service.

Educational Goals

• Observe and assist in the performance of pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures under direct supervision.
• Learn to select the appropriate surgical instrumentation, patient positioning and power sources to safely accomplish a surgical procedure.
• Start to recognize, treat, repair and manage the complications associated with reconstructive surgery.

RESEARCH ROTATION

Before starting fellowship the fellow must complete Human Subjects Research training at (https//www.citiprogram.org) and register for an account with IRBNet at (https://www.irbnet.org)

Goals

The first 3-month research rotation will establish the groundwork for the fellows to initiate work toward the goal of completing their thesis.

They should begin steps to develop a foundation in research design, grant writing, research methodology and scientific writing and presentation skills.

The fellow will gain knowledge of the basic principles of research, including how research is conducted, evaluated, explained to patients, and applied to patient care.

The fellow will be provided the Lancet Handbook of Essential Concepts in Clinical Research and be assigned chapter reviews for their first year.

Objectives

Gain an understanding of patient enrollment into research trials and appreciation for the ethics of patient participations and study design.

• Complete required additional training such as HIPAA and Information Assurance in order to be added as an Associate Investigator for ongoing projects in the program.
• The fellow must identify a research mentor.
• Organize research timeline
• Specify a thesis
• Begin preparing and writing research protocol
• Submit protocol for IRB approval, likely also submit grant for funding approval
• Complete course work- Intro to Epidemiology

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Year 2

CLINICAL / OFFICE

Rotation Description

This rotation will refine the fellow’s skill in the diagnosis management of women with complex pelvic floor disorders. The fellow will also gain the confidence required to lead a Urogynecology team in outpatient care of women with pelvic floor disorders and develop a strong foundation in managing the complications of therapy.

Goals

Establish a solid base of understanding of the practice of FPMRS

• Perform and teach others during the performance of diagnostic office procedures under direct supervision
• Making progress toward independent practice

SURGERY SERVICE

Rotation Description

The second year will expose the fellow to the advanced principles of surgical management of pelvic floor disorders. During the surgery rotation the fellow will build upon their solid foundation for the development of surgical skills in the operating room. Fellows will assist in the supervision and education of OB/GYN resident trainees that rotate on the Urogynecology Service.

Educational Goals

• Observe and assist in the performance of pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures under direct supervision.
• Learn to select the appropriate surgical instrumentation, patient positioning and power sources to safely accomplish a surgical procedure.
• Start to recognize, treat, repair and manage the complications associated with reconstructive surgery.

RESEARCH ROTATION

Rotation Description

This 3-month research rotation allows for ongoing research design and directed thesis completion.

Goals

• Finalize IRB approvals, as applicable
• Begin / continue data collection for thesis
• Complete course work at University of Cincinnati- Intro to Biostatistics

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Year 3

CLINICAL / OFFICE

Rotation Description

This rotation will refine the fellow's skill in the diagnosis management of women with complex pelvic floor disorders. The fellow will begin to polish their teaching and mentoring abilities by transitioning into a supervisory role of the OB/GYN residents in the office and clinic setting. The fellow will also gain the confidence required to lead a Urogynecology team in both inpatient and outpatient care of women with pelvic floor disorders and develop a strong foundation in managing the complications of therapy.

Goals

Demonstrate a solid understanding of the practice of FPMRS

• Perform and teach others during the performance of diagnostic and surgical procedures
• Making progress toward independent practice

SURGERY SERVICE

Rotation Description

The final year will reinforce the advanced principles of surgical management of pelvic floor disorders. The rotation will continue to refine the fellow’s skill in managing the routine and complex peri-operative care of women undergoing advanced surgical reconstructive procedures. By the end of this rotation fellows will be able to lead the healthcare team both in the operating room and on the inpatient ward. The fellow will be a major contributor to the supervision and educational experience of OBGYN resident trainees rotating on the Urogynecology Service. The fellow will also provide surgical treatments under supervision for their patients seen at the Faculty Medical Center.

Educational Goals

• Formulate complex management plans and make decisions that demonstrate good judgment, safety, and patient advocacy.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the efficacy, risks, benefits, and alternatives to therapies (behavioral, functional, pharmacologic and surgical).
• Initiate appropriate perioperative strategies to minimize neuromuscular injuries, would infection, and thromboembolic events.
• Lead and instruct others in alternative therapies, their efficacy, risks, benefits, and alternatives (behavioral, functional, pharmacologic and surgical).
• Proactively demonstrate appropriate perioperative strategies to minimize neuromuscular injuries, wound infection, and thromboembolic events.
• Select and instruct others in the appropriate surgical instrumentation, patient positioning and power sources.
• Perform and teach others during Urogynecologic surgical procedures.

RESEARCH ROTATION

Goals

Complete thesis for evaluation by faculty, and finalize a "submission ready scientific manuscript."

Objectives

• Complete thesis for evaluation by faculty and a submission ready scientific manuscript
• Present thesis and defend in front of thesis evaluation committee

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