OUTLINE FOR DESCRIPTION OF ROTATION

 

 

 

 

ROTATION:                Orthopedics/Sports Medicine

 

PRECEPTOR:              Steven J. Merkow, M.D. (Rotation Coordinator for the Orthopedics Group)

                                    Timothy K. Schultz, Michael Tjarksen, et al

 

DURATION:                One Month (PG-II) You may elect to complete an additional half month in the second year or include the half months in the third year with this group or other designated preceptors

 

 

1.         GOALS/OBJECTIVES:

·         Become familiar with common office orthopedic problems, their diagnosis, and their treatment.

·         Develop practical experience with treatment of common fractures and with splint and cast application.

·         Learn the family physicians’ role in orthopedic problems, knowing when consultation is necessary and how to effectively communicate orthopedic findings.

·         Become familiar with common orthopedic surgical procedures so that families can be counseled effectively.

·         Become familiar with sports related injuries, their treatment and rehabilitation.

 

2.         EXPECTATIONS:  Document all experiences listed on the Ortho Documentation Sheet, found in your Ortho Articles folder.

 

·         Orientation – Review rotation description carefully and meet with Dr. Merkow or designee on the first day of rotation or before to discuss ground rules.  Based on attending input select patients you will see ahead of attendings and be prepared to articulate your impression and plan after your exam.  Practice your regional exam and review it with the attending.  Remind attendings that you would like to actively participate in injections and casting.  Try to attend clinic 5 to 6 half days per week.  Let one of the three attendings know if you will not be able to attend.

 

·         Sports Medicine Clinic with Dr. Merkow – Try to attend each Monday afternoon clinic with him.

 

·         Spine Clinic (Thursday afternoon) – Work with Dr. Tjarksen to develop a focused history and exam.

 

·         Casting - Some of your time in office must be devoted to working with the cast technician (Cindy). Negotiate with her in advance so that you are doing 5 casts/week. She will work directly with you to provide hands on teaching.

 

·         Discussion of fracture care with attendings - Each week pick one patient who had a common fracture that you had casted with the casting tech.  Identify the attending physician and plan to meet with the Orthopedist to discuss for 10 minutes the fracture care of that patient. Let attendings know while you are seeing patients with them so that this discussion can be held between patients or at the end of a clinic. Record on your documentation sheet the interaction. Let Dr. Merkow know if you are having any difficulty accomplishing this goal.

 

·         Call Residents are encouraged but not required to schedule one weekend of call during their rotation. This optional experience allows residents to have greater exposure to the evaluation and management of orthopedic trauma and emergencies.

 

·         Inpatient surgeries - Participate/observe in at least 3 surgeries so that you understand common operations (e.g., hip fracture, Joint replacement for osteoarthritis, internal reduction of extremity fractures, arthroscopy).

 

3.         PREPARATION/TEXTS:

·         Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, Robert K. Snider, MD, 1997, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Editorial Board, American Academy of Pediatrics Review Board.

·         Physical Examination of the Spine and Extremities, Hoppenfeld, Stanley, MD, 1995 Edition (1976 Copyright), Appleton-Century-Crofts.

·         Fracture Principles Article from Dr. Merkow (no author or date listed)

·         Primary Care Sports Medicine Text (kept in staffing room, several, for primary care orthopedics & sports medicine (see staffing room but do not remove)

 

4.                   TYPICAL DAY/WEEK:

·         Preceptor Office – 5 to 6 half days per week with periodic selected inpatient admissions as noted above. Attend each Monday afternoon Sports Medicine Clinic with Dr. Merkow and Thursday afternoon Spine Clinic with Dr. Tjarksen.

 

·         You should still be able to participate with most of the important residency functions, such as Monday-Thursday morning rounds, Tuesday morning All-staff conference, and Wednesday Resident Educational Conferences.

 

5.         WORK-UPS/WRITE-UPS:

            Variable depending on Orthopedist you are working with.  Some will ask you to do office charting and others may ask you to perform and dictate H & P's if you are involved with the hospital admission.

 

6.         PROCEDURES:

·         Splint and cast applications (5 per week with casting tech)

·         Joint aspiration/steroid injections

·         Steroid injections into soft tissue.

 

7.         AVAILABLE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES/CONFERENCES:  Educational Conferences as noted in section 4.

 

8.         IMPACT OF OFFICE SCHEDULE/NOON CONFERENCES/FAMILY PRACTICE MORNING ROUNDS:  You should still be able to be involved in all residency related functions. 

 

9.         CALL AND SHARED CALL:  See expectations. You will continue to be involved in Family Practice Center call as normally scheduled.

   

10.        WEEKEND REQUIREMENTS:  You should be scheduled for one weekend per month with an orthopedist for additional casting and acute trauma experience.  This could be combined with call for the Family Practice Center.

 

11.        VACATION/TIME OFF: May take one week vacation but be certain to inform Dr. Merkow of this in advance (at the beginning of the rotation).

 

 

 

 

Revised:  6/1/05 – PHG:lmc