The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery conducts six formal medical student courses which are spread over the four year curriculum. In addition to these, the orthopaedic faculty participate in the Foundations of Doctoring curriculum serving preceptors for third year students and as facilitators for physical exam sessions. The Director of Medical Student Education is a member of the Academic Committee which coordinates all teaching activities within the Department. The current director is a member of the SOM Curriculum Committee and the newly forming Clinical Education Working Group which is addressing curriculum reform.

The courses offered by the department are as follows:

ORTHO 6620 Introduction to Orthopaedics Elective for MSI & MSII students

Goal: To present the basic concepts of musculoskeletal injury and disease in order to provide a framework for further knowledge acquisition during the clinical rotations. Department budgets.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course the student will be able to recognize common patterns of musculoskeletal injury and disease using the history, physical exam, and imaging techniques. They will be able to describe appropriate treatment options and apply basic casts and braces.

Description: The course consists of 10 weekly one hour classroom sessions, elective reading materials, and an elective session in the orthopaedic clinic or operating room. Student evaluation is pass/fail by attendance.

Faculty: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rheumatology Division.
Enrollment: 20 to 30 students. A written course evaluation is used for course improvement.

IDPT 7021 Clinical Clerkship Selective 2 week rotation MSIII & MSIV

A 6 week required block – PM&R as well as Orthopaedics, and honors are not offered. Orthopaedics can be selected for 2 of the 6 weeks

Goal: To develop medical student clinical knowledge of orthopaedic surgery.

Objectives: By the end of this rotation students will be able to:
• Perform a musculoskeletal extremity exam for the major anatomic areas – shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle.
• Interpret musculoskeletal x-rays of common fractures and degenerative conditions.
• Assess patients with overuse, degenerative, and traumatic problems and describe treatment options.
• Access pertinent information concerning musculoskeletal patient care.

Description: A clinic rotation working with residents and faculty at one of the affiliated hospitals in the OR and clinic settings. Students are given texts to use, meet 1 hour each week with a member of the faculty for an interactive teaching session and attend the department conferences. The students are evaluated by faculty and a short written interpretive test. Honors is available by preparing a case report if other evaluations are satisfactory.

Faculty: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Rheumatology Division.

Enrollment: Last year this was a required 1 week rotation – all students enrolled. This year as a selective, 48 students have enrolled to date. The course evaluation is online.

ORTHO 8000 Clinical Sub-Internship
A 4 week elective for MSIV students.

This course is open to all MSIV students enrolled in accredited Medical Schools with an interest in applying to CU Orthopaedics residency program. For more information on eligibility please contact Phyllis Arrington in Student Affairs, Phyllis.Arrington@UCHSC.edu, (303) 315-4354.

Goal: Further development of medical students with an interest in an orthopaedic surgery residency.

Objectives: By the end of this rotation students should be able to:
• Participate in the full spectrum of orthopaedic patient care.
• Determine if Orthopaedics is career option suitable for them.

Description: This a 4 week elective designed for the student interested in Orthopaedics or a similar surgical specialty. The student will join a resident-faculty team for two weeks at two of our affiliated hospitals. They will take call, attend conferences, and participate in all inpatient and outpatient clinical activities. Student evaluation is by faculty. Honors is available by preparing a case report if other evaluations are satisfactory.

Faculty: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Enrollment: This has averaged 7 UC students and 15 students from other US medical schools per year. The course evaluation is currently written.

ORTHO 8001 Primary Care Orthopaedics
A 2 or 4 week elective for MSIV students

Goal: Development of musculoskeletal knowledge of medical students interested in primary care residency.

Objectives: This is a clinical rotation tailored to the needs of the student.

Description: This elective is designed for students planning a career in one of the primary care fields who wish more in-depth experience with musculoskeletal medicine. Time is spent primarily in the outpatient clinics and at department conferences. Students are given reference texts to use during the rotation. Student evaluation is by faculty.

Faculty: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Enrollment: This course has been offered for 4 years and the enrollment averages 15 students per year. The course evaluation is currently written.

ORTHO 8005 Sports Medicine
A 4 week elective for MSIV students

Goal: To present sports medicine concepts and knowledge to medical students interested orthopaedic or primary care sports medicine careers.

Description: This course provides clinical experience in all aspects of Sports Medicine including orthopaedic care, primary care, operating room procedures, and sporting event coverage. Students will work in the sports medicine clinics on the Denver University and University of Colorado campuses. They will attend Department as well as sports specific conferences. Student evaluation is by the faculty.

Faculty: Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Family Medicine, and Rehabilitation Medicine

Enrollment: Enrollment has averaged 5 students per year. This course is taken by students interested in orthopaedic and primary care careers. The course evaluation is written.

ORTHO 8600 Orthopaedic Research
A 4 to 12 week elective for MSIV students

Goal: To provide an opportunity for medical students to learn and participate in orthopaedic research.

Description: This elective provides an opportunity for students to participate in basic science or clinical research projects with members of the orthopaedic faculty. Students may participate in established projects or originate their own if time and funding permits. The student is evaluated by their mentor.

Faculty: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Enrollment: Enrollment averages about 5 students per year.