College of Medicine MD Curriculum

Orthopaedic Surgery Acting Internship - UTMC

Title of Course: Orthopaedic Surgery Acting Internship - UTMC

Elective Year(s): Fourth Year

Department: Orthopaedic Surgery

Type of Elective: Clinical

Course Site: The University of Toledo Medical Center

Course Number: ORTH 701

Blocks Available: All

Number of Students/ Block: 5  [cross-listed with ORTH 710]

Faculty: Dr. Mustapha and others

Elective Description/ Requirements:
This acting internship exposes students to the full spectrum or orthopaedic patient problems. Students are expected to work closely with the orthopaedic residents and faculty in providing quality patient care. The rotation is based in the hospital-based orthopaedic clinic, the operating room, and the inpatient hospital. This elective is structured to students’ requests as availability allows. The expectation is for students on this rotation to work at an internship level, and demonstrate prioritization of patient care, patient safety, a base of orthopaedic knowledge, and the ability to form positive working relationships with other physicians.

Length of Course: 4 weeks

Educational Course Objectives and Links to EPOs:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to summarize and interpret results of history, physical examination, laboratory, and imaging to form differential diagnoses. (EPOs: MK4, PC6, SBP3)
  2. Develop and implement an appropriate workup and/or treatment plan for common orthopaedic conditions encountered in clinic and inpatient settings. (EPOs: MK3, MK4, MK6, MK7, PC3, PC7, PC8, PBL2)
  3. Describe the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of common orthopaedic emergencies in the emergency and inpatient settings. (EPOs: MK1, MK4, PC8)
  4. Write complete and accurate daily progress and clinic notes, including interpretation of clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings, as well as current treatment plan. (EPOs: PC1, PC6, IPC2, SBP5)
  5. Practice postoperative patient management by monitoring their status, recommending treatment plans, and coordinating with other health professionals involved in the patient’s care. (EPOs: MK4, MK7, PC2, PC4, PC6, PC7, PC9, PB1, PB3, IPC1-3, SBP1, SBP5)
  6. Describe and/or perform basic outpatient injection procedures of the shoulder, hand, and knee. (EPOs: PC6, PC8)
  7. Describe and/or perform basic immobilization procedures such as applying a splint, cast, or sling. (EPOs: PC6, PC8)
  8. Demonstrate the ability to participate in surgical procedures as a first assistant respecting sterile technique / universal precautions. (EPOs: PC5, PC6, PC9, PB1, IPC2, SBP5)
  9. Perform basic and advanced suture techniques and identify appropriate indications for each. (EPOs: PC5, PC6)
  10. Explain and assist in the pre-operative patient optimization and scheduling processes for elective and emergent procedures. (EPOs: MK2, MK3, MK5, PC2, PC4, PB3, SBP1, SBP2, SBP3, SBP4)
  11. Participate in evening or weekend clinical care to support continuity of patient care and demonstrate professionalism in varied clinical settings. (EPO: IPC-2)
  12. Conduct structured patient handoffs using an evidence‑based communication approach to ensure safe and accurate transfer of care. (EPO: SBP-1)

Professionalism:
UT-COMLS students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department

Instructional Methods:

  1. Ambulatory Care Experience
  2. Clinical case presentations/discussions
  3. Teaching rounds
  4. Independent study
  5. Didactic lecture
  6. Mentored clinical practice
  7. Mentored technical skills practice
  8. Residency program/department conferences and grand rounds
  9. Direct patient interaction under faculty and/or resident supervision

Assessment Methods:

  1. Acting Internship Assessment

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Yrs. 1, 2, & 3 and passing score on USMLE Step 1.

Special Requirements:

  1. This course has a one in four nights on-call requirement for a complete acting internship experience in orthopaedic surgery. As part of the acting internship, students are required to participate in at least one evening or weekend clinical experience.  This experience ensures exposure to the full spectrum of patient care responsibilities and supports readiness for residency-level schedules and work environment.
  2. Students are expected to participate in structured patient handoffs as part of their clinical responsibilities.  This includes observing and contributing to the sign-out processes to ensure safe, effective transitions of care.

Clerkship Director: Abdul A. Mustapha, M.D.

Clerkship Coordinator: Kelly Kovacs
Phone Number: 419.383.6236
Email: kelly.kovacs@utoledo.edu

ECC Approved
April 2023

Last Updated: 4/6/26