The Department of Anaesthesiology is one of the Clinical Departments in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences of the College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.  It provides anaesthetic services in the theatres and  to all the Departments in the hospital, especially the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, Accident and Emergency, Paediatrics and Intensive Care Unit.  It provides training to undergraduate students of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences during their special posting period and also to Resident Doctors from Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Dentistry and Family Medicine who rotate through as part of their Postgraduate Training requirements.

The Department of Anaesthesiology wishes to establish in the nearby future, a proper Labour Epidural Service, Pain Clinic, Endoscopy, and anaesthesia for Cardiothoracic, Neuro And laparoscopic surgeries. With provisions made available, our target is to position both the Medical School and the Teaching Hospital a center of excellence and reduce severe morbidity/mortality and, also equip the Medical student for greater challenges. )

PROGRAMMES FOR UNDERGRADUATE

TEACHING

      – These are conducted in accordance with approved University of Port Harcourt Regulations.

    – The duration of the clinical posting in Anaesthesiology is 1 month. This consists of 1 month of   didactic lecture and posting. There is a 1-week revision period at the end of the posting which is followed by the CAT. Weak students are identified and assisted by intensive teaching during the posting period.

           – Structured and organized tutorials are carried out during the posting. Tutorials are compulsory for all students.

       – The End of posting test is essentially a written examination.

CONDUCT OF CLINICAL POSTING IN ANAESTHESIOLOGY

    –       The students are divided into three groups: Group A, Group B and Group C. One group rotates

              through Otorhinolaryngology and the other through Ophthalmology. There is an interchange of

              the groups after 1 month.

   – Each student is assigned a serial Number during the posting. The serial number with the Matriculation Number must be used during all engagements.

   – Group A or Group B is further divided into subgroups A1, A2 etc  or B1, B2 etc and each rotates in turn through various theatre suites, Recovery Room and the Intensive Care Unit.

   – Daily activities commence by 08.00 hours and end by 16.00hours on week days

   – Call duty during week starts by 16.00 hours and end at 08.00 hours the following day.

   – Call duty during weekend is for 24 hours starting from 08.00 hours.

   – Students must participate fully in all departmental activities including routine work, ward rounds, preoperative sessions, theatre sessions, clinical meetings and calls.

   – At the end of every activity, students are signed up by the doctors who were involved in the said activity. Only students who are present throughout the duration of the activity are signed up.

   – Each student must procure a posting booklet which is mandatory.

   – Falsification of staff signatures is a serious offence and regarded as Examination malpractice. The punishment is expulsion from the Medical School and University.

The following should be provided by each student for his or her use during the posting:

– A white clinical coat

– A stethoscope

– A theatre scrub suit

– A pair of theatre boots or slippers

Students are not allowed to leave their duty post or travel during departmental activities requiring their participation.

Students who fall sick during the posting are expected to go for treatment at the University Health Centre or UPTH having reported to the Department. ONLY GENUINE SICK OFF PAPERS OR MEDICAL REPORTS FROM THESE TWO CENTRES OR THOSE AUTHENTICATED BY THEM ARE VALID.

MINIMUM  ATTENDANCE REQUIRMENTS

Each student is expected to achieve a minimum attendance of 75% in each of the following:

a. Friday Clinical Meeting Sessions commencing at 09.00hrs

b. Preoperative Ward Rounds

c. Theatre Sessions

d. Didactic Lectures

e. Call duty

h. Practical procedures

i. Tutorials

Students who do not achieve the minimum attendance of 75% will not be allowed to sit for the End of Posting Examination. They will not also be qualified to sit for the Final Surgery Examinations. By implication, THEY WILL THEREFORE REPEAT THE YEAR.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR CLNICAL SKILLS

1. Canulation of veins for intravenous fluid administration

2. Preoperative Examination for:

• Pallor

• Oedema

• Jaundice

• Hepatosplenomegaly

Measurement of:

– Weight

– Blood Pressure (BP)

– Pulse

Basics of Systemic Examination

– Examination of the Respiratory System

– Examination of the Cardiovascular System      Inspection, palpation

– Examination of the Abdomen                              Percussion and Auscultations

Examination for:

 Spleen

 Liver

 Kidneys