Ad hoc committees are formed on a needs basis and review specific issues. During the past three years these committees have addressed enhanced research opportunities for house staff, improved procedural experience and documentation, increased resident autonomy and supervision, and developed the Career Development Block for senior residents. For this current academic year, ad hoc committees will address the impact of work hours on the residency and continue development of a competency-based curriculum and evaluation system, and review of our current educational curriculum.

Regular class meetings every three months allow for exchange of ideas, information, and areas of needed improvement. Town meetings of the entire residency serve similar function and occur every two to three months to provide an open forum for discussion.

Progress Notes, a weekly newsletter, written by the chief residents now features a column, Program Directors' Corner, in which the leadership provides an opportunity for real time discussion of events, ideas for curricular change and areas of success to celebrate or areas of improvement that need action.

In these multiples venues, we hope to continue bidirectional exchange of information, ideas, and issues with the ultimate goal of constantly improving the education and training within the BCRP

Residents serve as a driving force for change in the program. They play a key role in the Residency Program Training Committee and the resident voice at class meetings and town meetings is pivotal to curricular development. The wonderful collaboration of residents with chief residents and program leadership is a significant feature of the BCRP.