Description

Students function as a part of the thoracic surgical team in preoperative evaluations, surgery and postoperative care for patients. They have the opportunity to individually evaluate selected patients and have that evaluation reviewed by a consultant. Students attend consultations, rounds and conferences, and assist in the operating room. They are based at Saint Marys Hospital.

Specific goals

1. Gain a thorough knowledge of thoracic surgical evaluation, as well as plans, goals, risks, alternatives and techniques for the surgical treatment of patients with a wide variety of pulmonary, esophageal, mediastinal, tracheal, chest wall and diaphragmatic diseases. This includes both surgical and non-surgical alternatives to specific problems.
2. Become familiar with the postoperative management of general thoracic surgical patients.
3. Gain familiarity and expertise in the function of chest tubes, drainage systems, placement of central venous lines, enteral and parenteral alimentation, airway control, cardiovascular respiratory monitoring, use of ventilators and other aspects of routine and intensive surgical care as they relate to general thoracic surgical patients.

Activity outline

Students attend in surgery, participate in clinical rounds, work up and assess patients, and attend conferences.

Method of evaluation

Students are evaluated on the basis of their daily performance, participation in rounds, and response to specific assignments given by the consultants and residents.

If you are interested in meeting with the General Surgery Residency leadership, an informational session can be arranged. Please note this meeting is to discuss any questions you may have about the General Surgery Residency program. This meeting will not be considered an interview for the General Surgery Residency program, and completing a visiting medical student clerkship at Mayo Clinic does not guarantee you an interview spot.

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.