A full spectrum of office procedures is available for residents to master. These include colposcopy, cryotherapy, sigmoidoscopy, vasectomy, fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, endometrial biopsies, and treadmill, as well as other minor surgical procedures. Each resident's experience is documented on a computerized record using Palm Pilot technology. Reports of clinical problems managed and procedures performed are available when needed for hospital privileges or specialty certification following residency.
Residents have the opportunity to take advantage of a structured procedure elective open to the second and third years, which includes exposure to scheduled minor procedure clinics twice per week with an assigned Family Medicine attending, two blocks of stress testing, and a weekly scattering of flexible sigmoidoscopy procedures. In addition, one half day per week is scheduled with a general surgeon at our local VA performing an assortment of minor procedures. This has been a well received rotational experience with one-on-one faculty supervision and teaching.