The Duke University Clinical Endosurgical Fellowship is a one year program (July 1 to June 30) designed to expand the knowledge and skills of the participant in the field of Endoscopic Surgery. One Fellow is chosen each year after s/he has successfully completed an accredited surgical residency training program in surgery which is recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

The aim of the Fellowship is to train surgeons with an interest in Endoscopic surgery to help further the education and advancements in this field. The vision of the Department of Surgery at the Duke University Medical Center is to foster the skills and knowledge of an individual, both clinically and scientifically, to become leaders in this evolving and exciting new field of General and Thoracic Surgery. With these goals in mind, the Department is seeking applicants with an interest in not only personal advancement, but also the development of scientific investigation and the willingness and experience to train others.

Prior to the completion of the Fellowship, the trainee should be well-versed in the following objectives as they pertain to Endoscopic surgery:

• Patient selection
• Indications and contraindications
• Instrumentation
• Techniques
• Complications
• Documentation
• Pre- and post-operative care
• Follow-up
• Outcome
• Self assessment exercises

The opportunities of this Fellowship are endless. At the start of each year the Fellow will set goals to meet his/her objectives. Opportunities are available in both clinical and laboratory arenas. The faculty members of the Duke Endosurgery Center have an active clinical practice on which one can gain not only a vast experience in the operating room, but can also establish numerous clinical studies and evaluations. Laboratory facilities are matched by few other institutions in the world with an expertise in numerous fields of medicine. One can design studies from the molecular level to large animal outcome studies, limited only by the ingenuity and determination of the Fellow. Both financial and technical support can be found from numerous sources.

Clinically the Fellow has the opportunity to get involved in endoscopic surgery ranging from General surgical applications, Plastic, Urological, Gynecological, Pediatric, Neurosurgical, Orthopaedic, and Thoracic surgery. The involvement in the various fields is based on the Fellow's interest and desire to seek participation with the faculty in these areas. Further clinical opportunities exist at the Durham Department of Veteran's Affairs Hospital located immediately across the street from Duke University Medical Center. Furthermore, the Fellow has access to the Vivarium for skills development and experimental surgery on numerous occasions throughout the year. A cadaver fresh tissue lab provides an anatomically applicable model to allow the Fellow an opportunity to enhance their skills and potential for the development of new techniques.

Inanimate models are available for skill enhancement, and as technology advances, virtual reality models will become available. These models, along with a large network of telecommunication connections, provide opportunities not only for the individual development of the Fellow, but also, tools to assist the Fellow in the instruction of others. Along with this technology, the Duke Endosurgery Center is equipped with state of the art production facilities for the development of instructional videos. Along with recording of procedures, Fellows have the opportunity to edit and produce videos for individual instruction or presentation at national meetings.

As the Department of Surgery at Duke University is committed to the training of their residents, the Fellow role is set-up as an instructor position. After the Fellow has established him/herself competent in endosurgical techniques (through involvement in the operating rooms, inanimate and animal models) s/he will assume a teaching assistant's role with the residents in the operating room. This involves the instruction of surgical technique, as well as helping develop resident education in the field of Endosurgery. The Fellow is involved with the residents in clinics, on rounds and in participation and leadership at educational conferences.

Throughout the year, the Endosurgical Center hosts educational conferences designed for the practicing surgeon to obtain up-to-date information on the advances in the field of endosurgery. These courses include instruction on new and evolving techniques, the latest assessment of new applications, and introduction to technological advances. The Fellow plays an integral role in these courses, often moderating discussions, delivering lectures and assisting participants with inanimate and live models.

The opportunities for the Endosurgical Fellow at Duke University Medical Center are limited only by the motivation and ingenuity of the individual. Though one year is a short period of time, it is the hope that those individuals who train at the Duke Endosurgery Center will establish a base on which to build their future and become leaders in the field of Endoscopic Surgery.

For an application or additional information please contact us at the following address:

Duke Endosurgery Center
Duke University Medical Center
Box 3110 - Room 3454
Durham, NC 27710
Voice: (919) 681-3881
Fax: (919) 681-7934
email:  curri005@mc.duke.edu