Description

This elective provides students experience in a broad scope of a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) practice in an outpatient setting. Students will go through direct patient care, educational conferences, and individual study. You will have interaction with multiple PM&R providers and therapists.

Goals and objectives

The goal of the program is to expose students to the broad spectrum of physiatric practice, including identification of patients who may benefit from physiatric referral.

1. Expose students to the broad spectrum of physiatric practice, including identification of patients who may benefit from physiatric referral
2. Improve and refine musculoskeletal physical examination, differential diagnosis, and clinical decision-making skills
3. Expand clinical evaluation skills to include functional assessment of patients with impairments
4. Develop a greater understanding of potential rehabilitation team members, including, but not limited to, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, speech therapists, and social workers

Activity outline

You will actively learn how to diagnose and treat a number of conditions in the outpatient setting including general orthopedic conditions, sport-related injuries, spine injuries, and neuromuscular diseases. During the outpatient services, students work closely with staff consultants, review laboratory studies, assist in the clinical decision-making process, and may independently examine and present patients. Students also attend departmental teaching conferences. There are no formal weekend duties or call.

Your time will be split between clinical consultations in the PM&R department, Sports Medicine Clinic, EMG clinic, and Neuromuscular clinic. The student will also be able to observe ultrasound- and flouroscopy-guided procedures and dedicated treatment modalities sought to improve orthopedic and spine conditions as well as other disabilities.

Method of evaluation

Students work closely with staff consultants, who assess performance during the rotation. Students are evaluated on their ability to perform a comprehensive history and physical examination, perform appropriate roles as part of the medical team, exhibit self-directed learning, and participate in didactics and conferences.

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.