DATE:         June 22, 2009

TO:             3rd Year Medical Students on Musculoskeletal Surgery and Medicine

FROM:         Martin I. Boyer, MD, FRCS(C)

RE:              Musculoskeletal Surgery and Medicine Clerkship

Welcome to the Musculoskeletal Surgery Third Year Clerkship at Washington University School of Medicine!  It is our hope that the time you spend with us will be an excellent educational experience for you.  We have put together this packet of information in order to better enable you to meet your educational objectives for this month.

The first thing to remember is that treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions is fun.  We (the faculty and residents) chose our careers because of our enjoyment of dealing with people with medical and surgical conditions upon which we can have a positive effect.  Our interaction with our patients leads to an enhanced quality of life for them.  Remember: Musculoskeletal complaints are some of the most common that physicians encounter every single day.  As a primary care physician, people will come into your office complaining of low back and neck pain.  As an internist, you will be asked about flat feet, arthritis and shoulder pain.  As an endocrinologist, you will be asked about diabetic foot conditions. As a general surgeon, you will be expected to know about trauma and long bone fractures.  Perhaps most importantly, as a pediatrician your patients’ parents and grandparents will expect you to know everything there is to know about hip dysplasia, in-toeing and knock knees.  Every neighbor you will ever have will probably ask about how to care for a sprained ankle or twisted knee. 

We try to make your time with us educational for both those that are interested in Orthopaedic Surgery as a career, and those headed for other specialties and for primary care.  Try to keep in mind that every student learns best in a different way, and that if you feel that your educational experience could be improved, please let us know. 

Included in this packet of information are two “Third Year Musculoskeletal Student Clerkship Evaluation” forms, one for each service on which you rotate.  It is your responsibility to provide the attending on each service with an evaluation form to complete on your behalf.  This way there is no doubt about who will be undertaking your evaluation.  You will also be responsible for making sure one of these forms is completed and faxed to Kathy Jones at 747-2643.  A final evaluation of your performance on the rotation will be completed by Dr. Boyer at the end of your rotation.  This evaluation will be based on feedback obtained during all four weeks of the clerkship.

There are an abundance of educational materials available to you to supplement your learning. Copies of Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, Robert K. Snider, M.D., Editor, and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Joseph Bernstein, M.D., Editor, Physical Examination of the Spine and Extremities by Stanley Hoppenfeld and other necessary textbooks have been purchased by the department for use by all WUMS III’s during the Musculoskeletal Clerkship.  Interactive DVDs on related sports topics and Physical Exam videos are also available through my office upon request.  The CDs and textbooks may be checked out from Kathy Jones, my secretary.  The Physical Exam videos and DVDs are available for short-term loan upon request.  Please be aware that all materials checked out must be returned or a $125 fee will be charged for each item missing and grades will be held until the items are returned. 

It is our hope that this list of requirements and the reading list will offer you some guidance in this orthopaedic rotation that you have chosen.  If there is any way that we can improve or help you gain more education from the time you have spent with us, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Thank you.

MIB/kj