Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

The Orthopaedic Residency Program - Rotation Synopsis



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First Year (PGY 1)PG y1

The PGY 1 year is designed to develop proficiency in the evaluation and management of adult and pediatric patients with surgical problems. While the development of basic surgical and technical skills is an important component of the internship, the main focus is on developing the necessary knowledge base to facilitate excellent patient care. All rotations for this year are at the University Hospital. Three months of the first year will be spent on the orthopaedic ward learning casting and traction techniques.

PGY 1 residents rotate through a diverse set of assignments designed to provide the fundamentals of patient care for the field of orthopaedic surgery.

Rotations

Orthopaedics = 10 weeks
Anesthesia = 4 weeks
ER = 4 weeks
Radiology = 4 weeks
Rheumatology = 4 weeks
Rehab Medicine = 4 weeks
Burn/Trauma = 10 weeks
ICU = 4 weeks
General Surgery = 8 weeks


Second Year (PGY 2)

The PGY 2 year is divided between the University Hospital and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center. This year marks the formal beginning of orthopaedic training and the emphasis is on the development of basic orthopaedic skills including history and physical examination, fracture management, and basic surgical principles. The fundamentals of orthopaedic theory are taught with an emphasis on basic science.

The PGY 2 rotations are designed to provide an introduction to general adult orthopaedic problems.

Rotations

UNMH Spine = 10 weeks
UNMH Night Float = 10 weeks
UNMH Hand/Foot = 10 weeks
VAMC = 20 weeks


Third year (PGY 3)

The PGY 3 year is spent at the University Hospital and Children’s Hospitals. Graduated responsibilities allow increased involvement in patient care, including operative procedures and case management. This year of training is divided into five rotations: Trauma, Adult Reconstruction/Orthopaedic Oncology, Sports, and Pediatric Orthopaedics. Each resident will spend 20 weeks on the pediatric service.

Rotations

UNMH Trauma = 10 weeks
UNMH Joints/Oncology = 10 weeks
UNMH Sports = 10 weeks
UNMH/CTH Pediatric Orthopaedics = 20 weeks


Fourth Year (PGY 4)

The fourth year of training marks passage to the level of senior resident where increased responsibility of patient care and surgical procedures is expected, in addition to increased teaching of junior residents and medical students. Rotations occur at the University Hospital, Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, and Children’s Hospitals. Each resident will rotate through the VAMC in two separate ten week blocks, one of which will include 50% time dedicated to research.

Rotations

UNMH Joints/Oncology = 10 weeks
UNMH Hand/Foot = 10 weeks
VAMC Clinical = 10 weeks
VAMC Research = 10 weeks
UNMH/CTH Pediatric Orthopaedics = 10 weeks


Fifth Year (PGY 5)

5th year pgy5During the final year of training the chief resident is expected to assume the responsibility of running services and clinics, including surgical cases. Teaching junior residents and medical students is expected. During one of the 10 week blocks, the resident will supervise his or her own service, including an outpatient clinic and both inpatient and outpatient surgery. Most chief residents will have logged 1,500-2,000 surgical cases by the time they have completed their residency experience.

Rotations

UNMH Sports = 10 weeks
UNMH Trauma = 10 weeks
VAMC = 10 weeks
UNMH Spine = 10 weeks
UNMH Chief Resident Service = 10 weeks