Residency in General Surgery

NU School of Medicine’s General Surgery Residency is a five-year program designed to train doctors of medicine in general surgery by focusing the program on basic and clinical research that enhances patient care expertise and surgical practice.

The primary objective of the General Surgery Residency Training Program is to produce a polyvalent general surgeon well versed in all aspects of general surgery, with a good grounding in basic and clinical research. Our graduates will be able to practice with confidence in either community hospitals or as a clinical faculty in academic medical centers or university teaching hospitals.

The clinical assignments are carefully structured to ensure that graded levels of responsibility, continuity in patient care, a balance between education and service, and progressive clinical experiences are achieved for each resident.

The five-year curriculum provides cognitive, psychomotor, and specific objectives and competencies for general surgery training and offers residents with the opportunities to acquire a broad understanding of general surgical principles and foster appropriate technical skills.

Career: Residency graduates continue working as physicians.

Program aims are:

• To prepare the specialist of General Surgery capable independently perform the role at the advanced level according to the six ACGME core competencies
• To prepare the resident to direct interprofessional and multispecialty teams necessary for the care of surgical patients
• Instill habits of professionalism and lifelong learning.

This Residency Program will contribute to the reform of the postgraduate medical training in Kazakhstan which is one of the priorities set by the Ministry of Health. These are the main benefits:

• Optimization of the scope of practice of different health care providers, with a view to make the best use of their qualifications and skills. This Residency Program promotes innovative and collaborative health service delivery models to meet the changing needs of the population health.
• Training a sufficient number of health care professionals able to provide general care in broad specialities across a range of different settings to care for people with multiple co-morbidities, an ageing population, health inequalities and an increased in patient expectations.
• Training will be limited to places that provide high quality educational experience and adequate supervision and that are approved and quality assured by Nazarbayev University School of Medicine.
• To ensure that health workers acquire and maintain the right skills and competencies to deliver high-quality health services in more team-based and patient-centred approaches.

1. Patient Care and Procedural Skills

• Ability to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. (PC1)
• Ability to competently perform all medical, diagnostic, and surgical procedures considered essential for the area of practice. (PC2)
• Competency in manual dexterity appropriate for their level. (PC3)
• Competency in execution of comprehensive patient care plans, including management of pain. (PC4)

2. Medical Knowledge

• Demonstration of knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences and the application of this knowledge to patient care (MK1)
• Demonstration of knowledge of the fundamentals of basic science as applied to clinical surgery (MK2)

3. Practice-based Learning and Improvement

• Ability to investigate and evaluate their care of patients, to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and to continuously improve patient care based on constant self-evaluation and life-long learning. (PBLI1)
• Development of skills and habits to be able to meet the following goals: (PBLI2)

a) identify strengths, deficiencies, and limits in one’s knowledge and expertise

b) set learning and improvement goals

c) identify and perform appropriate learning activities

d) systematically analyze practice using quality improvement methods, and implement changes

with the goal of practice improvement;

e) incorporate formative evaluation feedback into daily practice

f) locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patients’

health problems

g) use information technology to optimize learning

h) participate in the education of patients, families, students, residents and other health

professionals;

i) participate in mortality and morbidity conferences that evaluate and analyze patient care

outcomes

j) utilize an evidence-based approach to patient care

4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals (ICS1)
• Effective communication with patients, families, and the public, as appropriate, across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds (ICS2)
• Effective communication with physicians, other health professionals, and health related agencies (ICS3)
• Effective action as a leader of a health care team or other professional group (ICS4)
• Action in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals (ICS5)
• Comprehensive, timely, and legible maintenance of medical records (ICS6)
• Counseling and education of patients and their families (ICS7)
• Effective documentation reporting of practice activities (ICS8)

5. Professionalism

• Demonstration of a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles. (P1)
• Demonstration of compassion, integrity, and respect for others(P2)
• Demonstration of responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self- interest(P3)
• Demonstration of respect for patient privacy and autonomy(P4)
• Demonstration of accountability to patients, society and the profession sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, disabilities, and sexual orientation (P5)

6. Systems-based Practice

• Demonstration of an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care, as well as the ability to call effectively on other resources in the system to provide optimal health care (SBP1)
• Ability to work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems relevant to their clinical specialty (SBP2)
• Ability to coordinate patient care within the health care system relevant to their clinical specialty (SBP3)
• Ability to incorporate considerations of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient and/or population-based care as appropriate (SBP4)
• Ability to advocate for quality in patient care and optimization of patient care systems (SBP5)
• Ability to work in interprofessional teams to enhance patient safety and improve patient care quality (SBP6)
• Active participation in identifying system errors and implementing potential systems solutions (SBP7)
• Practicing the high quality, cost effective patient care (SBP8)
• Demonstration of knowledge of risk-benefit analysis (SBP9)
• Understanding of the role of different specialists and other health care professionals in overall patient management, and active participation in interprofessional and multispecialty teams (SBP10)

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Evaluate surgical patients, including recognition of medical and surgical emergencies which threaten life and require initiation of emergency medical or surgical care
• Develop, evaluate and carry out a rational plan of care for surgical patients
• Be proficient in written and oral communication in bedside care, case presentations, the medical records and manuscripts
• Be proficient in use and application of the surgical literature, able to understand and participate in surgical education and research

These Program Learning Outcomes (LOs) are consistent with the ACGME General surgery residency Milestone Project. These Milestones provide a framework for the transversal and longitudinal assessment of the resident physician’s progression in all key dimensions, skills and competencies required in a specialty clinical setting.

For each reporting period, review and reporting will involve selecting the level of milestones that best describes a resident’s current performance level in relation to milestones, using evidence from multiple methods, such as direct observation, multi-source feedback, tests, and record reviews, etc. Milestones are arranged into numbered levels. These levels do not correspond with post-graduate year of education.

STEP 1. Create your personal account

Register on www.admissions.nu.edu.kz portal to create a Personal Account. Read the instructions about the application procedure given in your Personal account.

STEP 2. Complete your Application Form and attach the required documents

Fill out the application form and attach the required documents:

1. Scanned copy of a National ID card or passport;
2. Scanned copy of secondary school or higher education institution certificate (attestat/diploma) with final academic performance or certificate from the school (spravka) according to the sample in the personal account;
3. Motivation letter in English;
4. Valid copies of certificates. The results of standardized tests must be sent directly to the University through test administrators.

STEP 3. Pay an application fee

The application fee is paid online via your personal account with a bank card.

The application fee is 10 000 tenge and it is increased 3 times from the established amount when paid within the last two weeks before the first officially approved deadline and/or during the extension period for accepting applications for participation in the admission process. This amount is non-refundable.

Step 4. Finish the registration process

Finish the registration process by pressing the “Submit application” button. After submission applicants can’t change their applications.

Step 5. Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates

Upload IELTS/TOEFL certificates in your personal account in the section "Upload IELTS/TOEFL" and fill up the required information about the certificate.

Further steps

Check your e-mail for notifications from the NU Admissions Department and your personal account to learn about your application status.

If you experience any difficulties with the registration or online application, please contact info_admissions@nu.edu.kz. Refer to your IIN and/or Applicant ID while sending us your requests.

Online application deadline for the residency program for the citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and for international applicants - May 16, 2025, inclusive (2 pm Astana time).

All registered candidates can check the status of their application in the Personal account. Description of the status below is presented in the order of assignment to the candidate in the Personal account.

Application in processing. This is interim status, which means that the application is being processed. Admissions Committee will evaluate the application and inform the candidate on further steps/stages. Notification on final results will be sent to your email address.

Does not meet entry requirements. The status is assigned to the candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirements. It is given after checking the application forms and the documents by the Admissions Department.

Disqualified. The status is assigned to candidates who are disqualified for gross violations of the conditions of the competition. For example, provided deliberately false information.

Rejected by Admissions Committee. At one of the competition stages, the Admissions Committee decided to reject the candidate’s application.

Transfer to another program. At the stage of an application screening the Admissions Committee has decided to recommend the candidate for consideration by the Admissions Committee of another program within the same School.

Pending. Candidate’s application is pending.

Waiting list. The Admissions Committee has finished reviewing the candidate’s application and made a decision to put you on a waiting list. Such candidates should expect notification from the University, as there is a possibility that if other candidates reject to study, they may be sent an invitation letter to study.

Recommended for admission to program. Admissions Committee has decided to recommend candidate for the program without going through the Zero Year of Graduate programs.

Recommended for conditional admission. The Admissions Committee has decided to recommend a candidate for the conditional admission with a requirement to fulfill the condition by the deadline specified in the notification.

Withdrawn. Candidate decided to withdraw from the competition.

Accepted Program admission offer. The status is assigned to candidates who received offer letter, signed Enrollment confirmation form and fulfilled all the сonditions of the University indicated in the offer letter.

Refused admission offer. The candidate was recommended for admission, but refused to study.

Refused in favor of another NU program. The status is applicable for those candidates, who applied for several graduate programs at NU. The status is assigned when the candidate chooses another program.

Deferred. The status is assigned to candidates who were accepted for the program, but decided to postpone their studies until the next year.

Did not submit the documents/Refused. The status assigned to candidates who did not provide originals of the documents by the stated deadline, which means that the candidate refuses to study at University.

Did not come to Orientation week/Refused. The status is assigned to candidates who accepted the offer letter, provided hard copies of documents, but did not participate in Orientation week. The vacant place, if available, can be offered to the candidates in the Waiting list.

Enrolled to program. The status is assigned to candidates who enrolled to the main program by the Decision of the Provost. Candidate officially became a student.

PGY 1

These rotations are designed to provide the resident broad-based exposure to the fundamentals of pre- and post-operative surgical care and a solid basis in surgical technical skills, such as the handling of tissue, closure of simple and complex wounds, exposure, and performance of basic general surgical procedures. Rotations consist of one month of experience in general and vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, trauma surgery, and pediatric surgery, anesthesiology, colorectal surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, endocrine/breast surgery, outpatient clinic, intensive care unit.

PGY 2

These rotations are designed to provide the resident with the knowledge, experience, and judgment necessary to evaluate and care for critically ill patients as well as patients with common surgical diseases such as abdominal wall hernias, colon cancer, and acute inflammatory conditions of the abdomen. The rotations consist of one to two-month experience in surgical oncology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, trauma surgery, colorectal surgery, endocrine/breast surgery, intensive care unit, endoscopy, and transplant surgery.

PGY 3

During PGY-3 training emphasizes surgical technique and skill refinement with rotations that include transplant surgery, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, colon and rectal surgery, general surgery, and gastrointestinal surgery. Assignments are four to six weeks long. The 3rd year surgical residents are responsible for providing elective and emergency surgical consults on the general surgery services.

PGY 4

During PGY-4 training emphasizes surgical technique and skill refinement with rotations that include surgical oncology, colon, and rectal surgery, upper GI, trauma, and endocrine surgery. Assignments are six to ten weeks long. The 4-year surgical residents begin to assume a leadership role in caring for surgical patients. These residents are responsible for providing elective and emergency surgical consults on the general surgery services. Under the direction of attending surgeons, these residents will perform a wide spectrum of basic and laparoscopic general surgical procedures including breast biopsy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, exploratory laparotomy, and colostomy.

PGY 5

This senior year is established with the primary goal of maximizing the number and variety of clinical experiences, sharpening diagnostic and therapeutic skills, of becoming an independent consultant, and maturing into an independent, competent, and confident general surgeon. Clinical rotations provide the chief resident with experience managing patients with both basic and complex general surgical problems. Under the guidance of an attending surgeon, the chief resident in surgery is responsible for managing the continuum of preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of his or her patients in general surgery, surgical oncology, colorectal, and upper GI services.

Educational Activities

Throughout the program, there are regularly scheduled conferences. On a weekly basis, the surgical service conference reviews all morbidity and mortality cases. A weekly basic science and clinical seminar series review a core curriculum in fundamental problems relevant to surgical care. Presentations are given by members of the surgical staff, and faculty from other clinical and basic science departments. Surgical grand rounds are held once a month and include presentations from all aspects of general surgery such as vascular, endocrine, trauma, and gastrointestinal surgery, as well as the surgical subspecialties.