Orthopaedic Surgery Clinical Elective for 3rd Year Medical Students

Target Students: Third year medical students interested in gaining knowledge and skills in the field of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Course Description: Students will rotate on the Orthopaedic Surgery service for two- or four-week elective experiences. During this time, they will participate in all facets of patient care including the in-patient wards, operating room, and out-patient clinics. Students will be expected to round with the team, participate in consult evaluations for in-patients, scrub in on operative cases, and examine and present patients in the out-patient clinic. Night call will be 2 nights during 2-week rotations and 4 nights during 4-week rotations.

The Orthopedic Surgery service is divided among the sub-specialties of: trauma, spine, hand, foot and ankle, arthroplasty and sports medicine. Students will be assigned to two-week blocks on these various sub-specialties. Students will give a 15-minute presentation on a topic relevant the sub-specialty they are assigned to at the end of the rotation.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Perform a comprehensive musculoskeletal history.
2. Perform a musculoskeletal examination.
3. Demonstrate the ability to develop differential diagnosis for non-urgent and emergency conditions.
4. Explain the surgical anatomy.
5. Perform introductory surgical skills.
6. Demonstrate the ability to present a case in an oral and written format.
7. Demonstrate effective communication with patients and families.