Location & Expectations

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

1. Orthopaedic Clinic (A through F), lower level of JPP
2. Main operating rooms and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) located on 5th floor JCP

Veterans Administration Medical Center

On your 1st day

Report to the outside the Clinical Research Room, # 01062 JPP at 8:00 a.m., which is located in the lower level of south Pappajohn Pavilion. You can take Elevator I down to the lower level, walk straight and you will see the Orthopaedic main reception desk. You turn left then a quick right and you will be going down the main hallway. The first hall on your left, almost to the end and Room #01062 is on your right.

You will receive a brief orientation by Linda including your team assignment, a clinic schedule, a conference schedule, a call list for information and a brief tour.

Team assignments are made by your indication of a team as well as an alternate choice should the team you request already be taken. There is just one student assigned to each subspecialty excluding Musculoskeletal Trauma which is assigned two students per four week period. This would be accomplished through Marcia Hopp in our Student Affairs office where your application process began. Her telephone number is 319/335-8053.

Regarding the rotation at the V. A. Medical Center, you must report first to the Surgical Services Office, Room 4E15, 4 East, 4th floor, then proceed to 2nd floor, 2 South, the Orthopaedic Clinic (which is near Physical Therapy), and contact Holly Lair (phone no. 338-0581, extension 5801) ,or page one of the residents, whose name and pager number will be given to you at your brief orientation before going to the V.A.

You will be instructed on clinical assignments by one of the residents of your assigned team. You can then arrange where and when to meet the following morning. Every day there will be morning rounds to attend before participating in a student lecture, departmental conference, going to clinic or going to the operating room.

In general you will arrive before 6:30 a.m. for cases in the main operating room or Ambulatory Surgery Center. This allows time to learn about set up of the room, as well as to discuss management of the case if you have not already done so. Residents and faculty are more likely to be impressed if you arrive early. This may translate into more positive written comments on your evaluation form. They will also be more likely to allow you to participate in minor details of the procedure

1. You will be assigned to a team and function as an integral member. You will work with that team during the clerkship.
2. You are to attend all Orthopaedic Surgery conferences (a separate schedule will be provided).

Responsibilities:

1. Know your team patients on the floor and follow their course. Be prepared to present patients. You may be asked to assist with floor work. Attend team rounds.
2. Assist in surgery and in the cast room on all patients you have worked up.
3. Assist in clinic. At least one out-patient will be assigned by your senior resident. The work-up should include a thorough history with significant positives and negatives. A complete musculoskeletal exam is required. Include a differential diagnosis, final impression and recommendation for treatment. Staff will evaluate the work-up.
4. Reading: Each student must assume personal responsibility for learning during the clerkship. In general, students should expect to spend a minimum of one hour reading each day to prepare for the next day's conference and to build their orthopaedic knowledge base. Patient care responsibilities will demand additional daily reading, as will case presentation on various services.

Required reading

• A review of your relevant notes from Gross Anatomy, Systemic Pathology, Foundations of Clinical Practice, and Physical Diagnosis.
• Objectives for Orthopaedics
• See Reading List