Externship program

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Allow the undergraduate podiatric student to become familiar with hospital procedures and protocol.
2. Become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of other medical disciplines and their relationship with the podiatric surgical service.
3. Allow the student to become familiar with the pre-operative evaluation of the surgical patient and post-operative management
4. Become familiar with the management of hospitalized non-surgical patients.
5. Become competent with the podiatric surgical history and physicals.
6. Become familiar and comfortable with the operative setting and instrumentation
7. Allow the extern to begin to refine his/her surgical skill and identify any deficiencies.

CLINIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Primary evaluation of all patients followed by a brief presentation of the CC/HPI to one of the Residents.
• Diagnostic work-up and treatment plan to be discussed with a Resident.
• Hands on treatment of all patients. Resident participation if needed.

OPERATING ROOM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Externs are to report to the pre-op area promptly one-half hour prior to the first scheduled case, in proper OR attire.
• Evaluation of pre-operative radiographs.
• Documentation of the post-operative note and post-operative orders.
• OR Block Time Friday/Wednesday afternoons

EMERGENCY ROOM

• Each extern is required to rotate through the E.R. one night per week from   6:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and one Saturday per month.
• Responsibilities will include assisting the Resident in treatment of all patients as well as documentation of treatment rendered

EDUCATION

Education in medicine and surgery is the primary purpose of the externship program. Education at this level is self-driven and is the responsibility of the extern. The purpose of the attending physician and resident is to guide your thought process, not simply give the answer to a question. Now, as in your future career, you will be best served by maintaining a desire to understand medical and surgical principles.

The externs are expected to attend all morning surgical conferences and afternoon lectures or journal club.  The externs are also expected to participate in daily rounds on all assigned patients with the residents. During the last week of externship the student is required to present a short lecture on an interesting case or topic encountered during the externship month.  This includes handouts and a power point presentation.