Orthopedic Surgery

Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties

  • Course Information

    Course Number: ELEC640

    Prerequisites: Completion of the Phase 2 Surgery or OB/GYN clerkship

    Length of Time: 2 or 4 weeks

    Available for Phase: Phase 2 and Phase 3

    Credit Type: Physician Assessed Patient Facing (PAPFE) or Open

    Call: Yes and 1-2 weekends

  • Contact Information

    Program Director for Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital: Marko Krpan, DO

    Program Director for OSF St. Anthony Medical Center: Andreas Fischer, MD

    Program Director for OrthoIllinois: Saad Tariq, MD

    Program Director for Gibson Area Hospital Orthopaedics Clinic: Jeffrey Lowe, DO

    Program Director for Midwest Medical Center: Greg Dammann, MD

    Coordinator/Scheduling: Allison King (aking75@uic.edu, 815-395-5802)

    Locations: Mercyhealth (7402 E Riverside Blvd, Loves Park, IL 61111); OSF St. Anthony Medical Center (5666 E State St, Rockford, 61108); OrthoIllinois (5875 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford, IL 61114); Gibson Area Hospital Orthopaedics Clinic (1120 N Melvin St, Gibson City, IL 60936); Midwest Medical Center (1 Medical Center Dr, Galena, IL 61036)

Narrative Description: This elective is offered to students who wish to learn more about basic orthopedic examinations and the management of ambulatory orthopedic problems. Students will see patients in an office setting and will have exposure to the operating room by participating in orthopedic surgical procedures. Students will have increased responsibility in the care and management of orthopedic patients.

Learning Objectives:

  1. To learn basic principles of managing open and closed fractures, dislocations and subluxations.
  2. To learn how to describe the clinical and radiological features of fractures.
  3. To learn how to manage priorities in treating fractures.
  4. To learn the basic principles of applying plaster and fiberglass casts, including cast removal.
  5. To learn about vascular, neurological and musculoskeletal complications of fractures.
  6. To learn the definitions of osteoporosis and osteomalacia and the etiologies of each.
  7. To learn basic treatment of various arthritic conditions.
  8. To learn how to conduct a thorough examination of joints and spine.
  9. To review pertinent anatomy.
  10. To have additional experience in participating in orthopedic surgical procedures.

Learning Activities:

In clinical electives taken through the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford, registered students will participate in any combination of the following activities with the goal of positively impacting patient care and learning about patient conditions to achieve the course objectives. These activities include, but are not limited to: chart review, history elicitation of patients, physical exam, oral presentation, written documentation in the EHR, special topics presentations, procedural skills, participation in seminars/didactics/grand rounds, participation in development of assessment and plan for the care and treatment of patients, interpretation of patient findings either by exam or test results, literature review, case discussion, interprofessional care, simulations, and patient meetings. Students will engage in activities as directed and appropriately supervised by College Faculty.

Method of Assessment: Direct faculty evaluation of performance.

Required Reading: Suggested reading(s) will be provided.

Additional Resources: None

Miscellaneous Information: None