Dr. Frederick Schiavone is a composed singer and an avid fan of the movie, ‘The Incredibles.’ But most importantly, he is faculty at Stony Brook University and the Medical Center.
Schiavone is a Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at SBU; he is currently the Residency Program Director and Director of Medical Education in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Associate Dean for Medical Education.
As Director of the Residency Program at Stony Brook Hospital, Schiavone assesses doctors at training level and beyond on a one-to-one basis in Emergency Medicine. He evaluates a resident’s interpersonal skills and clarity of thinking, or whether the resident demonstrates a reasonable treatment plan and if he/she understands the process. Those in training can learn from their senior residents, who must be efficient and have more responsibilities.
Soon residents will learn more than medical treatment when the Clinical Skills Center opens in the Health Sciences Center. Built in the design of an actual clinic, it houses 10 patient exam rooms, each equipped with a computer station which the patient, a paid actor, uses to critique a students performance, and an audio/visual monitoring system for post-exam review. Although it has not fully evolved, Schiavone said, ‘It will demonstrate how residents truly care about their patients.’
And since most people might have had past altercations with doctors, residents will also be advised to perform a ‘last touch phrase’ with patients in a negative scenario. It advises residents to end a visit with a patient on a positive note in all circumstances. Schiavone stated, ‘Interpersonal communication is not well assessed with most doctors, but now the Clinical Skills Center will allow this.’
As many as 538 residents and fellows in training every year accomplish their studies through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved rotations in 48 programs for general and specialty practice. Residents learn most of their skills as they rotate to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Northport and the Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola.
Residents also complete rounds at community hospitals, including St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, and Huntington Hospital in Huntington. Schiavone stated that all of the 48 programs are ‘each areas of excellence,’ but the obstetrical-gynecological fundamentals make it unique from the others. ‘The OB takes care of high risk surgical interventions of the highest caliber.’ He also stated the residency programs are unique by teaching interaction of computers with medicine.
Although Stony Brook Hospital has received negative publicity for its pediatric cardiac surgery program in the previous months, Schiavone said that the Pediatric residency ‘has great assessment models.’ Schiavone hails the SBU residents and waits in ‘great anticipation’ for the future.
