The objective of this rotation is to expose the medical student to the art of history taking, physical examination and decision making in a child with musculoskeletal problems. The student will attend pediatric orthopaedic clinics, private office, participate in in-patient care and assist in the operating room. Typical orthopaedic problems such as pediatric fracures, congenital and developmental musculoskeletal problems, neuromuscular diseases as well as spinal deformities will be encountered. The student will be required to attend daily orthopaedic teaching rounds as well as have a weekly didactic session on a common pediatric orthopaedic problem. A reading list pertaining to common pediatric orthopaedic topics will also be provided.
Night call is optional.
Based on the students' interests and availability, the elective can be modified with regard to focus on an outpatient versus surgical experience, as well as spending time with other orthopaedic faculty specializing in trauma, sports medicine, foot and ankle, joint replacement, and hand surgery. The focus of this month is based upon teaching and refining the student's orthopaedic skills including physical examination, interpreting diagnostic studies, decision making and treatment of basic orthopaedic problems. Interested first year students may apply for summer research fellowships at the Laboratories for Orthopaedic Research. Applicants with previous laboratory experience receive priority in this lab based exposure to orthopaedic basic sciences. The student is assigned to participate in the development or completion of a single major project in a variety of orthopaedic fields.