General surgery

This rotation provides medical students with an introduction to general surgery. Our department recognizes that some third-year students aspire to careers in surgery, while others plan to pursue other specialties. No matter what career path is chosen, students leave the rotation with a basic understanding of the field and with useful clinical skills.

Goals & objectives

As a large department, surgery is divided into multiple service teams. For four weeks of the rotation, you will have the opportunity to rotate on two of six main services we offer. At times there may be several students on one service. Students are expected to work together cooperatively as young professionals. If students have special requests for their rotations, they must contact the general surgery coordinator at least four weeks prior to the start of the rotation.

• Third-year medical students will gain further experience in the field while also integrating with and participating in the team approach to patient care.
• Punctual attendance at morning and evening rounds with the resident team and active participation in the care of inpatients at morning and evening rounds with the resident team and active participation in the care of inpatients
• Active evaluation of patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting, under supervision of residents and faculty in the in-patient and outpatient setting, under supervision of residents and faculty
• Exposure to a variety of general surgery cases in the operating room

Each student will be scheduled to take overnight call with the residents four times over the four-week core rotation in general surgery. Each student should expect to take at least one night on call over a weekend, which will be set by the directors prior to the start date.