Surgery
Students are introduced to basic principles of surgery during an eight-week rotation during the junior year. The thrust of this rotation is to establish principles in patient evaluation and care for those disease states commonly cared for by surgeons as they can be translated to the general practice of medicine. Emphasis is placed on the taking of a focused history, the performance and interpretation of a relevant physical examination, and the development of a diagnostic and therapeutic plan. This eight-week rotation consists of a four-week specialty exposure (spent in neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology and urology) as well as four weeks on a general surgery inpatient service. Each student participates in a small discussion group with a faculty member for two hours weekly. An Objective Structured Clinical Exam tests diagnostic skills acquired during the surgery rotation. A subject examination provided by the USMLE is used to assess knowledge and clinical thinking acquired during the clerkship. In addition each student is given an oral examination by a faculty member. Evaluation of clinical performance is provided by both faculty and residents.
Senior students may elect to spend four weeks in an inpatient setting during which they function as a sub-intern. Working with the surgical attending and resident staff, the student is exposed to all aspects of the day-to-day care of the surgical patient. Pre-operative assessment and post-operative surveillance and care are emphasized. This is a most appropriate experience for those students contemplating a career in General Surgery or a surgical specialty. Grading is based solely on clinical performance.
