Intensive Care Medicine Fellowship Programme

The Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care conducts the fellowship programme in Intensive Care Medicine at the University. This programme has been approved by the Postgraduate Medical Education Committee of Aga Khan University and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan.

Objective

The objective is to produce knowledgeable, clinically competent and skillful specialists who will provide ethical and compassionate care to critically ill patients. At the completion of training, they will be able to evaluate and manage most critically ill patients. They will be experienced in history taking, physical examination and interpretation of laboratory and radiological data. The Fellow will also be able to liaison with other specialties as required in the management of patients. They will also be involved in teaching and training junior trainees and will be actively involved in research.

Duration of training

Intensive Care Medicine fellowship programme extends over a two-year period. Training will involve rotation to other relevant specialties (internal medicine, emergency medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, etc) and also an external rotation will be encouraged to broaden the experience.

Eligibility

• MBBS or equivalent degree recognised by PM&DC
• One year internship with six months each in medicine, surgery or anaesthesia
• Completion of structured training in anaesthesia in a reputable programme
• FCPS I or equivalent postgraduate qualification in anaesthesia

Scope and content

Skills and clinical training

The programme will incorporate the clinical and practical approaches in the evaluation of critically ill patients. They will be trained to manage these patients under supervision. They will acquire knowledge and skill for the management of airways and provision of mechanical ventilation, both invasive and non-invasive. Fellows should be able to perform invasive monitoring procedures, for example arterial lines, central venous lines and pulmonary artery catheters and would also be able to interpret the data. They will be trained to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as fiberoptic bronchoscopy and chest tube insertions. They will also be required to supervise junior trainees in the Intensive Care Unit.

Didactic content

The didactic component will involve formal lectures on various topics, tutorials and emphasis will also be laid upon bedside teaching. The fellow will also be required to actively participate in clinical rounds, case presentations, journal club and morbidity and mortality meetings. They will also be provided protected time devoted for self study.

Research

Fellows will be expected to acquire the basic principles of research and biostatistics. They will initiate and complete at least one clinical trial and one audit, under supervision, during their fellowship and will also participate in the ongoing research activities in the unit.

Evaluation

As the fellow will be working under direct supervision of faculty, this will form the basis for continuous evaluation. They will also undergo a six-monthly formal evaluation which will include written as well as oral assessments. Feedback will be given by the Programme Director on a six-monthly basis and more frequently if necessary. Counseling will be provided, if the required standards are not met. Consistent inability to maintain adequate standard would lead to termination of employment.

Positions available

One Fellow will be inducted in the programme at a time.

Administrative set-up

The Intensive Care faculty comprises of three Associate Professors and five Assistant Professors. Four faculty members belong to Anaesthesia department and four are from the Department of Medicine. The programme is directed by Dr Saleemullah, Associate Professor, Anaesthesia.

Full-time Faculty

Associate Professors

Dr Hameedullah Saleemullah
MBBS Karachi ; FCPS Pakistan

Dr Nawal Salahuddin
MBBS AKU
Diplomate American Boards of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

Dr Mueenullah Khan
MBBS Punjab; FCPS Pakistan

Assistant Professors

Dr Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi
MBBS Karachi
Diplomate American Boards of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

Dr Javed Hussain
MBBS Punjab
Diplomate American Boards of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

Dr Khalid Samad
MBBS Karachi ; MCPS, FCPS Pakistan

Dr Shahla Siddiqui
MBBS Karachi
Diplomate American Board of Anaesthesia

Dr Waqar Kashif
MBBS Karachi ; MD USA
Diplomate American Boards of Internal Medicine and Nephrology
Fellowship in Critical Care Medicine