RMC Clinical Clerkships: Surgery

SUR 701 Core Clerkship: Surgery
The Core Clerkship in Surgery will consist of an 8-week general surgery component in the M3 year. During Surgery, the principles of pre-operative and post-operative care, diagnosis of surgical disease, indications for surgery, recognition and response to surgical emergencies, and the physiological principles of surgery are stressed through the case study method. Students will be involved in the care of approximately three patients per week. Technical experience is provided in the operating rooms and clinical skills lab. Outpatient clinics, lectures and conferences provide additional direct contact with faculty. FA WI SP SU [8 weeks]

SUR 710 General Surgery Subinternship
Under supervision, the student assumes many of the duties and responsibilities of a resident physician. This includes responsibility for preoperative and postoperative care, participation in surgery, and rotating on the night on-call schedule. On-call responsibilities for the surgical sub-intern are at the level of the first year resident, namely, sub-interns will be the first member of the surgical team to see in-hospital consults, emergency room patients, and answer calls from the nurses. They will be supervised by in-house residents. The work is primarily with hospitalized patients; however, there is an opportunity to work with ambulatory and elective surgical patients. Independent library investigative projects are assigned. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP [4 weeks]

SUR 711 Cardiovascular Surgery
This course emphasizes the clinical diagnosis and surgical management of adult and pediatric cardiac disorders. Preoperative evaluation including review of cardiac catheterization data, intraoperative management and postoperative care are discussed at conferences and in the operating room. Indications for surgery, preoperative evaluation and postoperative care are discussed at patient rounds, in conferences and on an individualized basis. Prerequisite: SUR 701, ANES-SUR 795. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 712 Surgical Intensive Care
This rotation exposes the experienced student to comprehensive management of critically ill surgical patients. Application of advanced life support techniques including vaso-active drugs, mechanical aids to circulation, pacing, and respiratory therapy are reviewed. Pathophysiologic discussion and integration with cardiopulmonary analysis of data obtained from invasive monitoring are emphasized. Radiologic, medical, and surgical aspects of critical care medicine are also incorporated. Students will attempt to function as sub-interns with direct patient responsibilities. Prerequisite: MED 701, SUR 701, ANES-SUR 795. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 713 Peripheral Vascular Surgery
This course emphasizes the clinical non-invasive laboratory and radiologic diagnosis of peripheral vascular disorders considered for surgical management. Indications for surgery, pre-operative evaluation and post-operative care are discussed at patient rounds, in conferences and in the operating room. This rotation allows extensive time in the operating room with open cases. The student will work closely with the Vascular Fellow and Attendings Prerequisite: SUR 701, ANES-SUR 795. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 716 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The primary goal of this clerkship is to provide an introduction to the surgical subspecialty of plastic and reconstructive surgery in as many of its various elements and diverse applications as possible. Plastic surgery covers a broad array of surgical/medical problems including wound healing; burns, both acute and long-term care; congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial defects; breast surgery including breast reduction, augmentation, and reconstruction following mastectomy; microsurgical procedures for a free flap transfer, nerve repair, and other means of tissue transposition; hand surgery, ranging from acute industrial accidents to long-term rehabilitation for neuromuscular problems; care of facial fractures, both acute and delayed repair; care for trunk and extremity problems, relating both to trauma and tumor extirpation; and aesthetic surgery of the face, extremities and trunk. Prerequisites: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 726 Principles of Urology
This clerkship provides further experience in the diagnosis and management of urological problems as a supplement to the basic clerkship in surgery. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 727 Genitourinary Neoplasia
This course is designed to present the basic concepts of neoplasia, using the genitourinary neoplasms as models. The student actively participates in the management of both hospitalized and ambulatory patients. Multidisciplinary seminars and individual projects are available. Approval to take this course must be obtained from Dr. Coogan prior to registration. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 731 Pain Management
This rotation exposes the experienced student to the care and management of patients with low back pain, post herpetic neurolgia, complex regional pain syndrome and other common pain problems. This is a busy office setting where students will see new and returning patients to take histories, perform physical exams and assist in various nerve block procedures. Student will function as a junior house officer. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 751 Orthopedics
This fourth-year elective rotation in Orthopedic Surgery is intended for students considering a career path requiring a knowledge of musculoskeletal problems. Students are assigned to work with individual attendings on the Adult Reconstructive Service, Foot-Ankle-Hand Service, Sports Medicine Service, Pediatric and Tumor Service, or the Spine Service. Students work with individual attendings in an office/clinic setting, assist in surgery, and round on inpatients. Students are required to attend the various clinical and resident education conferences. Educational goals include review of functional anatomy, understanding of injury triage, and concepts of treatment. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 752 Orthopedic Research
Students may arrange research rotations individually with faculty at Rush. In order to receive credit for such a rotation, the person to whom the student will be responsible must write a letter describing the student's activities, responsibilities, amount of supervision, and the specific dates of the rotation. Students must submit a proposal to the Office of Clinical Curriculum for approval at least eight weeks before the rotation and must have written approval from the Office of Clinical Curriculum before beginning the rotation. Research rotations are scheduled for a minimum of four weeks of credit with the expectation that the full project will extend beyond the formal course duration. Depending on the proposal, the weeks of credit may or may not apply to the rule of 8-weeks’ maximum credit for coursework in a single subspecialty. This decision is at the discretion of the Office of Medical Student Programs. Prerequisites: none. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 756 Neurosurgery
This clinical clerkship expands upon and demonstrates the practical application of neurological sciences. The diagnosis and management of both simple and complex neurosurgically-oriented disorders are addressed. Conferences with both the resident and attending staff are held weekly. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 757 Principles of Ophthalmic Examination
The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the surgical specialty of Ophthalmology. They will learn basic ophthalmic terminology, history and examination principles, attend daily rounds and other didactic sessions, and observe surgery. It is intended that the students will not only learn techniques of examination which will be useful in their own medical practices, but will also understand the capabilities and limitations of the ophthalmologist in order to make better use of ophthalmic consultations. This clerkship may also be taken as a four-week clerkship if prior approval is received from Jack A. Cohen, M.D., the Associate Chairman for Education in the Department of Ophthalmology (Jack_A_Cohen@rush.edu). During the second two-week period, the student will gain experience in performing history and physical examinations and will work up patients to present to resident and attending physicians. The student will learn to perform more sophisticated techniques of examination, including slit lamp funduscopic examination and indirect ophthalmoscopy. In general, the student will gain hands-on experience in ophthalmic examination, diagnosis, and theory. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 759 Otolaryngology
Clinical experience is provided in the diagnosis and management of patients with diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. Office practice, in addition to the care of hospitalized patients, provides the basis for clinical instruction, with emphasis on case study and proper use of instruments. Departments of Pathology, Radiology and Otology Conferences and Journal Club are included. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [2 or 4 weeks]

SUR 761 Surgical Oncology
Concentrated experience in the surgical diagnosis and management of patients with tumors is provided. Correlation of surgical problems with anatomic and pathological physiology is stressed, including examination of gross and microscopic tissue. Attendance at the tumor clinic and tumor conference is required. Students may also enroll in this clerkship for six weeks by contacting the Office of Medical Student Programs. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 or 6 weeks]

SUR 765 Colon and Rectal Surgery
Close one-on-one instruction between the student and physician in an apprentice-teacher relationship. The student accompanies the physician in all outpatient clinic office hours, as well as surgical procedures, and hospital rounds. This involves spending approximately 15 hours per week in a clinic environment, assisting in approximately 50 surgical and endoscopic procedures over the month and daily in-hospital rounds. No night call required. The grade will be determined by an essay exam, course clinical evaluations, submitted history and physical exams, and classroom participation. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 771 Thoracic Surgery
The diagnosis, operative, and postoperative care of patients with pulmonary and esophageal disorders are studied in both hospitalized and ambulatory patients. In addition, students assist in patient care, and topics are assigned for discussion. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 781 Research in Surgery
Students may arrange research rotations individually with faculty at Rush. In order to receive credit for such a rotation, the person to whom the student will be responsible must write a letter describing the student's activities, responsibilities, amount of supervision, and the specific dates of the rotation. Credit toward graduation is granted assuming that the research project is ongoing throughout the academic year. Students must submit a proposal to the Office of Clinical Curriculum for approval at least eight weeks before the rotation and must have written approval from the Office of Clinical Curriculum before beginning the rotation. Research rotations are scheduled for a minimum of four weeks of credit with the expectation that the full project will extend beyond the formal course duration. Depending on the proposal, the weeks of credit may or may not apply to the rule of 8-weeks’ maximum credit for coursework in a single subspecialty. This decision is at the discretion of the Office of Medical Student Programs. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 794 Advanced Surgery
Advanced Surgery offers an opportunity for Rush students and especially outside students to become familiar with the Department of General Surgery at Rush University Medical Center. The student will participate in the rotation in a manner similar to the 3rd year students and may assume some of the duties and responsibilities of the junior residents, depending upon their familiarity with the task involved. Students will become involved in preoperative and postoperative care, they will participate in surgery, and 4th year students rotating in Advanced Surgery will take part in the in-house call schedule on a shared rotating basis with 3rd year students. The work is primarily with hospitalized patients, however, there is an opportunity for ambulatory and elective surgery. Prerequisites: SUR 701, MED 701, PED 701. FA WI SP SU [4 weeks]

SUR 796 Transplantation
The clinical aspects of transplantation, including donor and recipient surgery, and pre-operative and post-operative care are studied. The student participates in organ preservation care as well. Seminars on the fundamental and clinical aspects of transplant immunology are held. Prerequisite: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 or 8 weeks]

SUR 808 Trauma/Critical Care Surgery
The Cook County Trauma Unit is one of the busiest urban trauma centers in the nation and offers an exceptional clinical experience for both medical students and residents. The trauma surgery rotation is designed to provide the senior-level medical student with an in-depth clinical experience in caring for the severely injured patient. The clerkship focuses on the initial management and associated decision-making, the necessary procedures and operative interventions, and the critical care necessary for survival of the trauma patient. The student is expected to take an assertive role in patient care from the initial encounter with EMS until the patient is discharged from the hospital. Multi-level supervision and guidance is provided by the attending physicians and residents as well as the clinical support staff. Prerequisites: SUR 701. FA WI SP SU [4 or 8 weeks]