Clinical training and experience in the field

The five-year Orthopedic Surgery Residency includes didactic and research training, along with extensive clinical experience. You gradually assume increasing responsibility for patient care and participate in trauma management throughout the entire residency.

Your clinical training covers all subspecialty areas of orthopedics, including:

• Adult reconstruction and knee surgery
• Foot and ankle surgery
• Hand surgery
• Microvascular surgery
• Orthopedic oncology
• Orthopedic trauma
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Shoulder and elbow reconstruction
• Spine surgery
• Sports medicine

During your residency, you serve as a team physician for one of the local high schools or the junior college. You participate in all aspects of care for the athletes, including pre-participation examination, training, decision-making about continuing play, evaluation and treatment of injuries, and rehabilitation.

Call frequency

Your call schedule varies by rotation. Mayo Clinic follows the schedule recommendations of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Didactic training

Clinical conferences, seminars, small discussion groups, journal clubs, and one-on-one instruction are an integral part of the Orthopedic Surgery Residency. You’re encouraged to attend four or more of the 14 orthopedic conferences that are available for residents each week.

The weekly Tuesday morning conference is largely regarded throughout Mayo Clinic, and external to Mayo Clinic, as the quintessential example of didactic learning. Each conference starts with a 15-minute lecture provided by one of the renowned faculty, followed by 45 minutes of case presentations from the residents and fellows. There is nearly 100% participation from the faculty on a weekly basis. Moreover, a hip and knee arthroplasty journal club is held quarterly at one of the faculty member’s houses, and quarterly cadaver labs are organized for the residents and fellows.

Evaluation