Surgery

Course Description

The surgery clerkship based at Aurora BayCare Medical Center is designed to provide students with a wide array of general surgical and multispecialty surgical experiences. Students will begin the clerkship with General and Vascular surgery clinic and operating room experiences. Following this, students may choose specialty and subspecialty areas within which to gain greater understanding and hands-on experiences. Students will be allowed the opportunity to monitor daily surgical schedules and observe or participate in surgical procedures which interest them. Students will also participate in the pre- and post-operative care of patients while rotating through various surgical specialty clinics.

Aurora BayCare Medical Center is a Level II trauma center as verified by the American College of Surgeons. Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and institutional performance, as outlined by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. Key elements of a Level II trauma center include 24-hour, immediate coverage by trauma and neurosurgeons and specialists in orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, radiology, and critical care.

Course Objectives

By the completion of this rotation, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and application of the following:

  1. Perform history and physical examination appropriate for patient age, sex, and presenting condition.
  2. Develop assessment and management plans.
  3. Document within a medical record in appropriate places.
  4. Develop admission, pre-operative, and post-operative order sets.
  5. Demonstrate comprehension of the informed consent process and the legal implications.
  6. Demonstrate comprehension of anatomy/pathophysiology, complete surgical assessments, and develop a plan of treatment for the following conditions:
    • Breast Disease
    • Hernia Repair
    • Biliary Tract Disease
    • Colorectal and Anorectal Disease
    • Liver Disease
    • Pancreas Disease
    • Thyroid and Parathryoid
    • Surgical Disorders of the Foregut
    • Arterial and Venous Disease
    • Trauma & Shock
    • Vascular Trauma
    • Fractures
    • Head and Neck Emergencies
    • Acute Abdomen
    • Burns
    • Adult Hip Disorders
    • Degenerative Conditions of the Lumbar Spine
    • Common Afflictions of the Hand
    • Musculoskeletal Oncology and Disease
    • Pediatric Orthopedic Disorders
    • Female Urologic Disease
    • Voiding Dysfunction
    • Infections of the Ear and Sinus
    • Hematuria
    • Congenital Pediatrics
    • Urologic Cancers
    • Pediatric Urology
    • Complex Wounds
    • Adult Cardiac Disease
    • Thoracic Surgery
      Of the above conditions, there are a few which are required patient encounters. Students should document these in surgical logs as they occur. If entering the final 2 weeks of rotation and they have not been met, it is the student's responsibility to notify the clerkship director.
    • Biliary Tract Disease
    • Colorectal and Anorectal Disease
    • Trauma/Shock
    • Acute Abdomen
  7. Practice universal precautions.
  8. Insert nasogastric tube.
  9. Insert urinary catheter.
  10. Insert a peripheral venous catheter
  11. Perform an arterial blood gas draw and interpret results.
  12. Perform skin closure using percutaneous and subcutaneous sutures.
  13. Communicate effectively with patients, family members, and other health care team members.
  14. Apply principles of evidence-based medicine.
  15. Demonstrate ability to use electronic medical information.
  16. Identify areas of deficiency and make plans for improvement.
  17. Demonstrate commitment to professional and ethical practices.
  18. Appreciate patient diversity and empathetically interact with patients and family members.
  19. Demonstrate awareness of larger context of healthcare and the ability to work within a system.