Introduction:
The didactic curriculum consists of four major components. Each is described below. All components of the curriculum are required with any exceptions only as specified. Attendance is logged and 90% attendance is required for successful program completion. 

Study Sessions:
Each resident class has a weekly, one hour study session preceding Grand Rounds on Wednesday mornings at 7:30am. With the exception of residents rotating on the Trauma Service, all residents are excused from other activities to allow them to attend. The focus and methodology differ for each class.

EM1: review of core curriculum using a major EM text (provided by the residency program). A copy of the most current edition will be provided to each EM1.

EM2: completion of core curriculum review. Review of procedures using the Roberts and Hedges text, Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, which will be provided. Other selected study as time allows.

EM3: written board review using a "question and answer" directed discussion format. 

Grand Rounds:
Each Wednesday morning Grand Rounds are held from 8:30am – 12:30pm. With the exception of residents rotating on the Trauma service, all residents are excused from other activities to allow them to attend. Most sessions are in Swift Auditorium at Buffalo General Hospital.  Every 4th Wednesday of the month, Grand Rounds are held at the Smith Auditorium at the Erie County Medical Center. Grand Rounds usually consist of 4 one-hour sessions. 

Main speaker: EM or outside faculty speaking on an area of expertise for one or two hours. 

Core content: Major core content topics are covered on an 18 month cycle - there usually are one or two hours of core content lecture per session. In this way, residents are exposed to major areas at least twice during their training. Other topics are covered on a 36 month cycle. Presenters include EM faculty, outside speakers, and EM residents. EM residents present one lecture in the EM1 year, two as EM2's and give three lectures as senior residents. 

Case Conference / M+M: EM residents present interesting or unusual cases under faculty guidance. 

During residency, there are a number of special sessions given in lieu of Grand Rounds. These include such activities as Cadaver Lab or EMS Base Station Course.

Journal Club:
Journal Club meets on the first Wednesday of each module, and is usually held from 10:30am-12:30pm during Grand Rounds. With the exception of the residents rotating on the Trauma Service, all residents are excused from other activities to allow them to attend. At Journal Club, we discuss selected original publications relevant to Emergency Medicine. The primary intent of Journal Club is to educate faculty and residents in the skills needed for critical interpretation of the medical literature. Secondarily, residents will become familiar with a wide variety of relevant clinical, basic science, or administrative topics. 

AM Sign-Out Rounds:
Each weekday morning (with the exception of Tuesdays) at primary clinical sites, sign-out rounds occur at shift change (6:45am). The overnight senior resident selects a case for discussion moderated by the day shift attending.