Virtual Training, Anatomy and Instrument, and Equipment Lab

UAB’s General Surgery Residency Program recognizes that incoming resident classes enter into residency training with limited clinical and procedural experience. Despite having fewer opportunities for surgical interns to develop basic skills during medical school, they are still expected to handle complex cases and possess foundational surgical abilities as they start residency.

To support the development of junior residents' technical skills, various curricula and simulation labs have been established. These provide opportunities for residents to practice in a non-operative environment, with faculty and senior residents offering immediate feedback and guidance.

The goal of these curricula and skills sessions is to enhance residents’ operative skills through innovative simulation models. These models help residents develop basic technical skills as well as advanced robotic and laparoscopic techniques.

The Basic Technical Skills program, led by Dr. James Hwang, Assistant Program Director of Technical Skill Development, starts each academic year and runs biweekly for six months. During these sessions, residents receive hands-on practice in knot tying, suturing, dissection, exposure, and patient positioning, while also learning about the resources available to them at UAB. Additionally, residents take part in laparoscopic and robotic skills sessions throughout the year, guided by Dr. Abhishek Parmar, Assistant Program Director of Robotic and Laparoscopic Skill Development. These sessions include both group and individual training to help residents master these advanced techniques.

Residents also have access to a dedicated simulation space, where they can practice laparoscopic and endoscopic skills at their own pace.
Throughout the year, additional labs are organized to further support residents' surgical skill development.

Read more about the implementation of surgical simulation in training labs.