Description

Students are assigned to work directly with a consultant in the Department of Orthopedics at Mayo Clinic's campus in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona. The consultant supervises the clerk's rotation at the Mayo Clinic Specialty Building on the Phoenix campus. Surgical experience occurs at Mayo Clinic Hospital (inpatient) and Mayo Clinic Building — Phoenix (outpatient).

Rotations may also include the off-campus rotations that are part of the Orthopedic Surgery Residency, such as orthopedic trauma, spine surgery and pediatric orthopedics. The clerk is typically assigned to a pair of two-week rotations that includes, when possible, one of the off-campus rotations from the Orthopedic Surgery Residency.

The clerk may be assigned to a rotation at Phoenix Children's Hospital (PCH). A $100 application fee and additional paperwork are required for the rotation at PCH.

Specific goals

1. The clerk is expected to improve his or her skills in interviewing and examining orthopedic patients.
2. The clerk learns to diagnose common orthopedic disorders and to formulate treatment plans.
3. The clerk gains surgical experience as he or she accompanies the consultant supervisor to the hospital and outpatient surgical center.
4. On subsequent inpatient hospital rounds, the clerk gains exposure to inpatient management.
5. The clerk is instructed in minor procedures — such as casting, suturing and giving injections — as his or her ability and opportunity allows.
6. The clerk may request to do a rotation with special emphasis on the upper extremity, adult reconstruction, sports, oncology, or foot and ankle surgery.

Activity outline

The clerk is assigned to a consultant in the Mayo Clinic Department of Orthopedics. With the supervising consultant, the clerk interviews, examines and reviews patients presenting for initial evaluation. The student accompanies the physician in the office to see patients on recheck and preoperative visits, in the operating suite for surgery, and on hospital rounds.

Method of evaluation

A review of the clerk's general performance will be provided verbally and in writing at the end of the rotation.

Per Mayo Clinic institutional policy, faculty and residents/fellows will not complete any outside evaluations. You will be provided with an electronic performance evaluation via Mayo Clinic’s MedHub portal. A final summative evaluation will be sent to you and your school official upon completion of your clerkship.