Senior Medical Student Elective
The Emergency Medicine Faculty at Maine Medical Center is pleased to offer a senior medical student experience in the Maine Medical Center Emergency Department. The rotation is open to all senior level medical students in good academic standing but preference is given to those interested in Emergency Medicine as a career. Enrollment is limited, so schedule early and please remember to notify us of any changes as soon as possible. The didactic program and clinical shifts cycle each calendar month year round.
Past students say that major strengths of the program include exposure to the Emergency Medicine residency, plenty of hands-on patient care, and direct contact with academic Emergency Medicine faculty, who are available to teach both at the bedside and in the classroom. In addition, seasonal activities are available including local EM conferences, and wilderness activities (kayaking, skiing, hiking, etc.). For detailed information, please see our UVM course description (below).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Goal:
To practice skills in the recognition of acute life-threatening conditions and exacerbation of serious disease while participating in the ED care-giving and resuscitative team response in a strictly supervised setting.
Objectives:
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology learned throughout the clerkships in understanding root causes of life threats (e.g. hypoxia, acidemia, hypovolemia, sepsis).
Become familiar with the use of equipment involved in the stabilization and resuscitation of patients (e.g. mechanical airway, c-collar, and defibrillator).
Understand the role of the Emergency Department in the community health care delivery system.
Have exposure to principles of triage, medical toxicology, and emergency medical services.
Gain insight into principles of risk management as it relates to probability of disease and patient disposition.
Be aware of the ethical responsibilities of a physician in times of refusal of treatment, inability to consent, or need for higher level of service.
Important aspects of this experience include:
- an expectation to rule out most immediate life threats first (non-probabilistic)
- managing multiple patients time-efficiently to the level of ability
- a hands-on experience with acute laceration repair and fracture splinting
- practicing focused problem-based histories, physical exams and oral presentations
- a concerted effort to limit resource utilization appropriately
- collaboration with community physicians in the discharge planning and follow-up
• exposure to Emergency Medicine residency training
Format:
1. Students are assigned 15, 8 hour clinical shifts distributed over days, evenings and nights, including two weekends and at least four night shifts. Students, while in the ED, are expected to see patients primarily and present directly to the Attending(s) or supervising PGY-3 Emergency Medicine Resident on duty. Students shall complete a hand-written note in the ED chart and place orders requiring immediate Attending verification. Students are expected to keep their patients, the ED care team and the patient's Primary Care Provider updated on all results of therapies, tests, consults and disposition planning. There is an emphasis on patient education by students.
2. Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation session at the beginning of the month as well as an afternoon lecture series (held during the first week). In addition, students are required to attend relevant lectures as part of the Emergency Medicine Residency didactics, held on Tuesday mornings. Schedules are provided during the mandatory orientation session on the first weekday of the month.
3. Additional experiences include a student presentation on an EM-related topic usually in the third week of the month, an optional EMS ride-along with one of the local paramedic crews, and optional participation in residency-related activities such as journal club or interdisciplinary symposia. A hands-on procedure workshop to practice suturing and splinting skills will be done during the rotation.
4. All students are expected to be present from the first weekday of the calendar month until the last weekday. No credit shall be given for partial months unless previously approved by the course director.
5. Housing within walking distance of the hospital is provided for all UVM students and extramural students on a first come, first serve basis.
Evaluation Methods: A cumulative grade is determined by collation of specific feedback from the Attending staff. Grades of Honors, Pass, Fail, and Incomplete are given based upon a student's attitude, attendance, and performance. This includes participation in case discussions, the quality of student presentation, ability to render effective care, and professionalism while on duty. A Standardized Letter of Recommendation (SLOR) may be requested from an individual faculty member. Currently no pre- or post-test is administered; however, this is subject to change at the discretion of the course director.
An application must be submitted through our online application page.
Contact Information:
Department of Emergency Medicine
Lori O'Donnell
Administrative Secretary
Department of Emergency Medicine
Email: odonnl@mmc.org
207-662-7024 - office
207-662-7025 - fax
Casey MacVane, MD
Director, Medical Student Education
Department of Emergency Medicine
Email: macvac1@mmc.org
207-662-7010 - office
207-662-7025 - fax
Department of Medical Education
Christyna Braley
Office Manager
(Area that students must go through for malpractice/housing/credential verification)
Email: bralec1 @mmc.org
207-662-7060 - office
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