Students may develop an individualized research plan of their choice under the direction of a faculty member. Students should work with a faculty member to submit the form Elective Proposal to Educational Affairs at least eight weeks prior to the projected start date. This elective requires prior approval.

Students may develop an individualized course on a topic of their choice under the direction of a faculty member. Students should work with a faculty member to submit the form Elective Proposal to Educational Affairs at least eight weeks prior to the projected start date. This elective requires prior approval.

Designed for the 4th year medical student that has a strong interest in the musculoskeletal system and is not pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. This course will emphasize orthopaedic outpatient clinics. Students will not be required but will have opportunities to be in the operating room and/or take evening call. Students will work closely with assigned faculty members that are fellowship trained in different subspecialties of orthopaedic surgery. Students will learn musculoskeletal history taking skills, the details of a musculoskeletal physical examination, interpretation of radiographs and advanced imaging techniques, treatment options with an emphasis of when to refer to an orthopaedic surgeon. There will be a lectureship series given by the faculty.

Designed for the 4th year medical student with a potentially strong interest in pursuing orthopaedic surgery or other field focused on the musculoskeletal system as a career. This elective will allow students to revisit and delve deeper into extremity anatomy with a focus on surgical approaches and relevance to clinical practice. The course would be in the anatomy lab with guidance from both anatomy faculty and orthopaedic surgical faculty. The course will include dissection, hands on learning from the cadavers in the lab including practicing surgical approaches, didactics, and time for students to prepare a presentation on a clinically important anatomic topic to give at the end of the course.

Advanced hospital selectives provide the opportunity for students to assume greater responsibility for patient care of the hospitalized patient, with oversight from supervising residents and attending physicians. Students expand upon competencies they develop during the third year as they care for one to two patients at a time. Additional expectations include responsibility for developing management plans, writing orders, patient handovers and transfers of care, recognizing the policies that support patient safety, and developing competency in procedures that they will perform independently as residents. Fourth year students also assist in teaching third year students.

Designed for the 4th year medical student with a potentially strong interest in pursuing orthopaedic surgery as a career. Patient care involvement will be both in the outpatient clinics and operating room. There will also be opportunities to be involved with emergency department and in-patient consultations. Students will be required to take evening call and will be paired with a resident. Students will have opportunities to work with a variety of faculty that are fellowship trained in the different subspecialties of orthopaedic surgery. There will also be opportunities to work closely with orthopaedic residents. Students will learn musculoskeletal history taking skills, the details of a musculoskeletal physical examination, interpretation of radiographs and advanced imaging techniques, treatment options including both nonoperative and operative management, surgical approaches to include both soft tissue and bone handling techniques, and implant specifics. There will be a lectureship series for students given by the faculty. A fundamental knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy will be important.