Message From Dr. Scott Reeves

The Department of Anesthesia's “can-do” mentality along with all that our beautiful city has to offer creates a wonderful environment in which to train, work and live.

Read The Chair's Message

Anesthesia Resident Research Opportunities

Our residents have the ability to participate in a wide variety of research projects. They are able to work in a number of research settings, including basic/translational science, clinical science, healthcare informatics, and simulation-based educational research. Our program has had FAER-funded Research Fellows in the past and we eagerly support any resident who wants to pursue independent research with a faculty mentor. We provide our residents with a generous travel budget in order to attend the best regional and national meetings, and there are additional funds available for any resident who needs expenses covered to present original, peer-reviewed research at a major meeting. 

The following is a sampling of the projects on which our residents are currently working:

  • Population-based study of factors impacting surgical site infection.
  • Process improvement during obstetrical emergencies.
  • The utility of continuous paravertebral blocks in vats cases: randomized, controlled trial.
  • The effect of perioperative gabapentin on postoperative pain and opioid consumption in laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy.
  • The effect of a dynamic decision support tool on the management of perioperative emergencies.
  • The effect of intraoperative pressor on flap outcome in major head and neck cancer reconstructions.

Research

The research mission of the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina is to develop new knowledge in areas relevant to perioperative medicine by conducting innovative and important clinical, translational and basic science research. We seek to better understand disease and pain mechanisms that occur during the perioperative period and severe illness and thereby identify novel and innovative therapeutic targets, technologies, delivery systems and other strategies that will improve the care and outcome of patients who require perioperative, critical care, and pain treatment.

The rationale for pursuing an aggressive research agenda is based upon the need to create — and the intrinsic value of creating — new knowledge, in order to make enduring contributions to society. In addition, this program is based upon the principle that generating meaningful new knowledge is perhaps the best methods to increase professional and personal satisfaction, enhance professional standing and that of the Department and University, and drive the future of the specialty.

The Overall Strategy of this Effort Can Be Summarized as Follows

  • Organized conceptually as an integrated center whose overall purpose is to improve perioperative and long-term outcomes following surgery and intensive care.
  • Capitalize on existing areas of strength: ongoing efforts that address issues related to improving patient outcome will be expanded
  • Develop key new areas aligned with Departmental and COM strengths.
  • Integrate and try to leverage with COM’s Research Strategic Plan (Genetics/Genomic Medicine, Population Science, and Public Health).

Anticipated Target Areas Include

  • Novel and improved therapies for acute and chronic pain.
  • Molecular, cell, and genetic biology of injury, cellular stress responses, and wound healing.
  • Pathobiology and treatment of inflammation and blood loss.
  • Cell-based therapies to restore damaged organ function.
  • Human factors research, innovative operating room and intensive care unit design and management.
  • Uses of medical simulation to improve patient safety and clinician education.

Key Programmatic Elements Include

  • “Protected time,” project funds (starter-type grants).
  • Formalized, transparent application and award process.
  • Patient enrollment, data collection, IRB, funds management assistance (for extramural awards) by dedicated support staff.
  • Statistical consultation and collaboration — (Dr. Beth Wolf).
  • Monthly research conference to review project ideas, methods, data collection and analysis, present new techniques and resources, etc.
  • Establish research “pods” for mentoring and oversight, as well as to develop a community of researchers whose sum is larger than the individual parts.