• 1: Intern Bootcamp: Dominate Intern Year
    Jul 5 2025
    RE-RELEASE
    This was first published in 2023 but it's so good we are running it back!

    Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.

    In this last episode of the intern bootcamp mini-series, we’ll talk about tips & tricks as well as good habits to establish in order to dominate intern year.

    Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark

    Tips for New Interns:

    GENERAL TIPS FOR SUCCESS ON THE WARDS
    • Spend time with the patient!
    • Trust, but verify.
    • Be kind to everyone.
    • Stay humble.
    • Be flexible.
    • Seek and apply feedback.

    HOW TO LEARN IN THE OR
    • Double scrub as many cases as you can.
    • Write down/record everything after a case.

    MAINTAIN YOUR PERSONAL SANITY
    • Figure out your stress outlets and what brings you joy.
    • Decompress after work.
    • Maintain work/life boundaries.
    • Keep in touch with loved ones.
    • Vacations are meant for relaxation.
      • Repeat after me: NO WORK ON VACATION!
    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills – https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/
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    13 mins
  • Intern Bootcamp: Scary Pages
    Jul 4 2025
    RE-RELEASE This was first published in 2023 but it's so good we are running it back! Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency. Today, we’re hitting the wards and tackling some of the scary clinical scenarios you will see as an intern. Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark Tips for new interns: THINGS TO REMEMBER · BREATHE. In most cases, you have a little bit of time – at least enough to take a breath and calm down outside the room before heading into an emergency. Panic doesn’t help anybody. · See the patient. Getting a bunch of pages? Worried about someone? Confused as to what’s going on? Go see the patient and chat with the bedside team. · Know your toolbox. There are a ton of people around who can help you in the hospital, and knowing the basic labs/imaging studies and when to use them can help you to triage even the sickest patients. · Load the boat. You’ve heard this one from us all week! Loop senior level residents in early. HYPOTENSION · Differential: measurement error, patient’s baseline, and don’t miss – SHOCK. - Etiologies of shock: hemorrhagic, hypovolemic, · On the phone: full set of vitals, accurate I/Os, · On the way: recent notes, PMH/PSH including from this hospital stay, and vitals/I&Os/studies from earlier in the day · In the room: ABCDs – rapidly gives you a sense of how high acuity the patient is · Get more info: labs, consider imaging, work up specific types of shock based on clinical concern. · Initial management: depends on etiology of hypotension; don’t forget to consider peripheral or central access, foley catheterization for close monitoring of urine output, and level of care HYPOXEMIA · Differential: atelectasis, baseline pulmonary disease, pneumonia, PE, hemo/pneumothorax, volume overload · On the phone: full set of vitals, amount of supplemental oxygen required and delivery device, rate of escalation in oxygen requirement · On the way: review PMH/PSH, known injuries (known hemothorax/pneumothorax? Rib fractures? Chest tubes in already?), risk factors for DVT/PE, review I/Os for evidence of volume status, vitals and labs for evidence of infection · In the room: ABCDs, pulmonary and cardiac exam, volume status exam · Get more info: basic labs, ABG if worried about oxygenation, CXR, consider bedside US of the lungs/heart, if high suspicion for PE consider CTA chest · Initial Management: supplemental O2, higher level of care, consider intubation or other supplemental oxygenation adjuncts, additional management dependent on suspected etiology · ABG Vs VBG (IBCC): https://emcrit.org/ibcc/vbg/ ALTERED MENTAL STATUS · Differential: stroke, medication effect, hypoxemia or hypercarbia, toxic or medication effect, endocrine/metabolic, stroke or MI, psychiatric illness, or infections, delirium · On the way: review PMH/PSH, recent notes for evidence of altered mentation or agitation, or signs hinting at above etiologies · In the room: ABCDs, focal neuro deficits?, alert/oriented? Be sure the patient’s mental status is adequate for airway protection! · Get more info: basic labs, blood gas/lactate, CT head noncontrast if concerned for stroke. · Initial management: rule out above; if concerned about delirium, optimize sleep/wake cycles, pain control, and lines/drains/tubes. OLIGURIA · Differential: prerenal due to hypovolemia or low effective circulating volume, intrinsic renal disease, post-renal obstruction · On the phone: clarify functional foley or bladder scan results, full set of vitals · On the way: review PMH/PSH, known injuries (known hemothorax/pneumothorax? Rib fractures? Chest tubes in already?), risk factors for DVT/PE, review I/Os for evidence of volume status, vitals and labs for evidence of infection · In the room: ABCDs, confirm functioning foley catheter · Get more info: basic labs, urine electrolytes, consider fluid challenge to evaluate responsiveness, consider adjuncts including renal US · Initial management: typically consider IVF bolus initially, but if patient not volume responsive, don't overload them -- look for other etiologies! TACHYCARDIA · Differential: sinus tachycardia (pain, hypovolemia, agitation, infection), cardiac arrhythmia, MI, PE · On the phone: full set of vitals, acuity of change in heart rate, updated I/Os · On the way: Review PMH/PSH, known cardiac history, cardiac and PE risk factors, volume resuscitation, signs concerning for infection, updated I/Os · In the room: ABCDs, cardiac/pulmonary exam, evaluate for any localizing signs for...
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    23 mins
  • Intern Bootcamp: Consults
    Jul 3 2025
    RE-RELEASE
    This was first published in 2023 but it's so good we are running it back!

    Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.

    This episode, we’ll talk about how to give and receive consults in the hospital like a pro. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make those long call days a little more manageable.

    Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark

    Tips for New Interns:

    GIVING CONSULTS
    • Clear and Concise Question!
    • Develop a script, such as:
      • “Hi, this is XX with the general surgery team. We’re calling to request an evaluation for a patient presenting with XX. I can give you the MRN whenever you are ready…”
      • Follow this with a brief H&P.
    • If you are asking another team to perform a procedure on your patient, be prepared with the following information:
      • NPO Status
      • Ability to Consent or Proxy Contact
      • Blood Thinners
      • Urgency of Procedure

    RECEIVING CONSULTS
    • Make sure you are clear on what the team is asking of you as a consultant.
    • Clarify if the patient is expecting to receive a surgery before talking to them about an operation!
    • Quickly gather information about the patient and their hospital course from the consultant, electronic medical record, and, most importantly, the patient!
    • Note the callback number on the primary team and call them with the plan after you have staffed the patient with your attending.
    • If you are asked to perform a procedure as a consultant, clarify the following information:
      • NPO Status
      • Ability to Consent or Proxy Contact
      • Blood Thinners
      • Urgency of Procedure
    • Develop a system to stay organized and keep track of your to-do list with consults!

    CALL SHIFTS
    • Bring a survival bag with toothbrush/toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, change of clothes, etc to reset.
    • Try to nap when you can, but:
      • PM round to address non-urgent pages ahead of time
      • Set alarms!
    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills – https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/
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    15 mins
  • Intern Bootcamp - The First Day
    Jun 30 2025
    RE-RELEASE
    This was first published in 2023 but it's so good we are running it back!

    Buckle up, PGY-1’s! Intern year is starting whether you’re ready or not. Don’t fret, BTK has your back to make sure you dominate the first year of residency.

    First up, the first day of intern year.

    Hosts: Shanaz Hossain, Nina Clark

    Tips for new interns:
    1. BRING WHAT YOU NEED
      1. Name badge
      2. Scrubs, white coat, and extra clinic clothes
      3. Comfortable shoes - even on clinic days
      4. Pager
      5. Phone
      6. Pen
      7. Bonus stuff that’s good to keep in your bag: Snacks, extras of everything, toothbrusth/toothpaste/deodorant, suture
    2. STAY ORGANIZED
      1. Preround purposefully and systematically
        1. Look at the same things in the same order every day on every patient
        2. Write data in the same physical location on your sheet so you can quickly find information on the fly
      2. Keep track of to-do’s from rounds
        1. Check box system:
          1. Nina’s system: empty = not done, half full = ordered/needs follow up, full = completely done and followed up on
          2. Don’t forget to look at the results of imaging studies, labs, or consults after they are entered!
        2. Prioritize urgent/emergent things first, then consults and discharges, then routine orders, then notes
          1. As you get more efficient, start drafting your notes as you pre-round – it will save you lots of time later in the afternoon!
    3. OWN THE FLOOR
      1. During the day, be ready to shift your priorities as urgent issues arise.
      2. Develop a system for remembering what happened after rounds so you can quickly update seniors
        1. Shanaz’s system: One color for AM rounds, a different color for afternoon events
      3. Load the boat! Your team is there to help you. If you are concerned about someone or have a question, ask. There is truly no better time than as an intern.
        1. Master the art of getting your seniors’ attention in the OR - be conscientious, be clear in what you’re asking, and be prepared to report back about urgent findings!
    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our new how-to video series on suture and knot-tying skills - https://behindtheknife.org/video-playlists/btk-suture-practice-kit-knot-tying-simulator-how-to-videos/
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    16 mins
  • Journal Review in Surgical Education: Resident Autonomy in the Good Ole Days
    Jun 26 2025
    In this surgical education episode, the Cleveland Clinic General Surgery Education Team explores the past, present, and future of resident autonomy in the operating room. With guest colorectal surgeons Dr. Tracy Hull (recently retired) and Dr. David Rosen (early career faculty), we discuss how autonomy was granted in “the good ole days,” how educational culture and institutional pressures shape current practice, and what thoughtful autonomy looks like moving forward. Through candid stories—from emergent cases and missed enterotomies to thumbtacks pulled off the wall to stop bleeding—we get a nuanced look at what surgical independence really means, and how to responsibly develop it.
    Join hosts Pooja Varman, MD, Judith French, PhD, and Jeremy Lipman, MD, MHPE, for this conversation about what it means to train competent, confident, and independent surgeons.
    Learning Objectives
    By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to
    1. Define operative autonomy and its educational value in surgical training
    2. Identify barriers to providing resident autonomy in modern surgical environments
    3. Discuss strategies for tailoring autonomy to the skill level and readiness of the trainee
    4. Describe approaches to communicating resident involvement to patients
    References
    1. Sehat AJ, Oliver JB, Yu Y, Kunac A, Anjaria DJ. Declining Surgical Resident Operative Autonomy in Acute Care Surgical Cases. J Surg Res. 2023;281(k7b, 0376340):328-334. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2022.08.041 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36240719/

    2. Teman NR, Gauger PG, Mullan PB, Tarpley JL, Minter RM. Entrustment of General Surgery Residents in the Operating Room: Factors Contributing to Provision of Resident Autonomy. J Am Coll Surg. 2014;219(4):778-787. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.04.019 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25158911/

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    40 mins
  • Journal Review in Surgical Oncology: Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Small Bowel
    Jun 23 2025
    Join the Behind the Knife Surgical Oncology Team as we discuss the two key studies investigating optimal management strategies of neuroendocrine tumors of the small bowel.

    Hosts:
    - Timothy Vreeland, MD, FACS (@vreelant) is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and Surgical Oncologist at Brooke Army Medical Center
    - Daniel Nelson, DO, FACS (@usarmydoc24) is Surgical Oncologist/HPB surgeon at Kaiser LAMC in Los Angeles.
    - Connor Chick, MD (@connor_chick) is a 2nd Year Surgical Oncology fellow at Ohio State University.
    - Lexy (Alexandra) Adams, MD, MPH (@lexyadams16) is a 1st Year Surgical Oncology fellow at MD Anderson.
    - Beth (Elizabeth) Barbera, MD (@elizcarpenter16) is a PGY-6 General Surgery resident at Brooke Army Medical Center

    Learning Objectives:
    In this episode we review two important papers that discuss optimal management strategies of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the small bowel. The first paper by Singh and colleagues discusses the NETTER-2 trial investigating the role of radioligand therapy for NET as a first-line treatment. The second article by Maxwell et all challenges surgical dogma regarding optimal debulking cutoffs for debulking of NET.

    Links to Papers Referenced in this Episode:
    1. Singh S, Halperin D, Myrehaug S, Herrmann K, Pavel M, Kunz PL, Chasen B, Tafuto S, Lastoria S, Capdevila J, García-Burillo A, Oh DY, Yoo C, Halfdanarson TR, Falk S, Folitar I, Zhang Y, Aimone P, de Herder WW, Ferone D; all the NETTER-2 Trial Investigators. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE plus long-acting octreotide versus high‑dose long-acting octreotide for the treatment of newly diagnosed, advanced grade 2-3, well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETTER-2): an open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. Lancet. 2024 Jun 29;403(10446):2807-2817. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00701-3. Epub 2024 Jun 5. PMID: 38851203. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38851203/

    2. Maxwell JE, Sherman SK, O'Dorisio TM, Bellizzi AM, Howe JR. Liver-directed surgery of neuroendocrine metastases: What is the optimal strategy? Surgery. 2016 Jan;159(1):320-33. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2015.05.040. Epub 2015 Oct 9. PMID: 26454679; PMCID: PMC4688152. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26454679/

    Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more.

    If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://app.behindtheknife.org/listen
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    31 mins