The Department of Thoracic Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China offers a three-month Thoracic Surgery Fellowship to fully trained residents and fellows from outside China who desire further experience in thoracic surgical oncology. The clinical training throughout the fellowship follows the mentorship model.

The Department of Thoracic Surgery is considered to be one of the busiest thoracic surgery centers in China, and it was ranked among top 10 thoracic surgery centers in China last year. All areas of thoracic experience can be acquired at our department.

Hangzhou is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province in East China. It sits at the head of Hangzhou Bay, which separates Shanghai and Ningbo. Hangzhou grew to prominence as the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China for much of the last millennium. Hangzhou is a city whose origins go back over thousands of years, and is a spectacular combination of ancient remnants with contemporary tourist attractions and life style. Though it has a genuine cosmopolitan feel, Hangzhou has still managed to retain its own distinct culture, which is expressed in a love of art, architecture and traditional music.

1. State-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical techniques

2. Hands-on training in gastroesophageal anastomosis

3. Comprehensive complications management training

4. Direct mentorship from experienced surgeons

5. Access to advanced surgical equipment and facilities

6. Case-based learning with real patient scenarios

The objective of the rotation is to experience the function of a complex Thoracic surgery department. Most importantly, the observer will review and understand the principles of management of different thoracic malignancies.

The program provides a full-time, 3-month training experience. In special circumstances, arrangements can be made for other lengths of training depending on your needs and interests.

Fellows: Candidates must be graduates of a recognized foreign medical school and have completed a general surgery residency training program in their country. The candidate must also be interested and committed to expanding his/her expertise in Thoracic Surgery.

• VATS/Robotic Lung Resection (Standard 3 port, Uniport)

• VATS/Robotic Esophageal Resections

• VATS/Robotic Mediastinal Tumor Resection (Thymectomy)

• EBUS–TBNA

• Navigational Bronchoscopy

• CT-Guided Lung Nodule Biopsy

• CT-Guided Hook-Wire Localization of Small Pulmonary Nodule

• Research Laboratory for Thoracic Surgery

Monday

1st Week: introduction & welcome, program overview and objectives

Weekly: esophageal surgery training, bronchoscopy training, robotic surgery

Tuesday

Weekly: surgery training, bronchoscopy training

Biweekly: mentor one-on-one training

Wednesday

Weekly: outpatient observation, clinical rounds

Biweekly: esophageal surgery training

Thursday

Weekly: complicated case study, case-based discussion, esophageal MDT conferences

Friday

Weekly: journal club, clinical rounds, clinical skills training, special task training

Last Week: wrap-up & reflection, participant presentations or discussion of key takeaways, feedback session (e.g. online survey or live Q&A)

After rotation, each faculty member evaluates each fellow according to core competencies of patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice. Faculty members meet with fellows individually for verbal feedback and evaluation. For bronchoscopy, technical competence is evaluated through specifically designed evaluation forms, a simulator laboratory, and through a semiannual skills assessment program. Monthly, an aggregate evaluation of a fellow's clinical progress is conducted through a clinical competency faculty committee.

The program is free of charge.