Medical Student Electives: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Brief Description

We are a division of 4 fellowship trained attending physiatrists with an emphasis on non-surgical Spine and Sports Medicine. Medical student(s) will have an opportunity to work closely with our physiatrists during this elective rotation. Students are expected to observe and participate in physical examinations, office and fluoroscopy unit- based procedures including ultrasound guided procedures and electro-diagnostic studies in outpatient clinics at Hartwick Seminary Specialty Services (HSSS), Railroad Avenue Clinic (RR), and Oneonta Specialty Services (OSS).

Goals & Objectives

The student(s) should be able to identify weakness in musculoskeletal examination and recognize the need for practice skills learned in clinical settings during their rotations.  Also, the student(s) should develop proficiency in musculoskeletal, spine and neurological examinations and gain exposure to physical and occupational therapy.  Rotating students should broaden their understanding of how to assess patients with musculoskeletal impairments, develop available treatment options, and provide reasoning of offered rehabilitation program and interventional procedures geared toward optimizing functional recovery.

Learning Experience

The student will learn about the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation and interventional musculoskeletal/pain management.  They would have exposure to the practice of interventional physiatry, office based diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as electro-diagnostic study, trigger points, joints, and spine injections utilizing fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance, and manual medicine in appropriate settings.  At the end of the rotation, they should develop skills in taking history from patients with common musculoskeletal conditions, outline differentials, formulate a diagnosis and treatment options, and improve their musculoskeletal imaging reading ability.

Feedback

Informal and continuous.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be given through observation of clinical activities.

Data

Given all year. Maximum number of students per month: two. Housing is provided when available, with the exception of the months of January, June, and July. No night calls. Rotations of less than four weeks are available. A vehicle is required at HSSS and OSS locations during the rotation. 

Course Director

Members of the Attending Staff.