Gynecologic Oncology
Gain specialized training in the care and management of gynecologic cancers in outpatient and surgical settings.
The GynOnc elective is a 4-week clinical experience that offers you additional experience in the care of patients with gynecologic malignancy. Students will obtain advanced clinical exposure to complex gynecologic surgeries, diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic malignancies and post-operative follow-up. The rotation will take place on a designated GynOnc service with primarily outpatient and surgical experience, augmented with exposure to inpatient care. Students will function as OB-GYN first-year residents under faculty direction.
You’ll be prepared to see the patient in the clinic, take a full history and report it to the resident or attending on service. Students also serve as surgical assistants to help the operation flow smoothly and optimize patient care and recovery. At the conclusion of this rotation, you’ll demonstrate increasing competence in the management of normal and abnormal gynecologic anatomy and pathology, perioperative management of patients with complex medical problems, diagnosis and management of gynecologic malignancies, and medical and surgical management of gynecologic conditions
Learning objectives
By the end of the rotation, 4th-year students will be able to:
- Collect a specialty-specific history through patient interviews and chart review and present relevant details to the attending
- Perform a specialty-specific physical examination, including speculum and bimanual examinations, abdominal exam and lymph node assessments
- Identify key details from pathology and imaging reports
- Recognize normal vs. abnormal postoperative recovery
- Create differential diagnoses for postoperative problems (e.g., abnormal vitals, greater than expected pain, low urine output, nausea/vomiting, fever, abnormal labs, wound issues)
- Assess someone’s fitness for surgery and identify medical conditions that increase surgical risks
- Identify patients at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes based on family history
- Recognize adnexal mass features that seem benign vs. suspicious for malignancy
- Recognize abnormal bleeding patterns and indications for further evaluation
- Perform appropriate surgical scrub techniques (both wet and dry methods) and maintain sterility during gowning/gloving
- Demonstrate sterile Foley catheter insertion
- Place laparoscopic ports safely (goal: at least 10 ports)
- Make laparotomy or mini-laparotomy incision to the fascia (goal: at least 2)
- Close laparoscopic port sites (goal: at least 15 incisions) including tying knots with multiple techniques (instrument tie, one- and two-handed knots)
- Close skin on laparotomy incisions (goal: 5cm+ segment at least 3 times)
- Gain experience assisting with a laparoscopic camera
- Provide effective manipulation of the uterus during laparoscopic hysterectomy
- Obtain view of the cervix on speculum exam and perform Pap smears
- Correctly identify pelvic and retroperitoneal anatomy, including gynecologic/urinary/bowel structures and vasculature
- Correctly describe anatomy of the anterior abdominal wall, especially the muscular/fascial structure, vascular supply, nerves and peritoneal folds
- Describe multiple techniques for laparoscopic entry into the abdomen
- Describe physiologic changes that occur during laparoscopic surgery
- Incorporate principles of preoperative evaluation/preparation into plans
Apply now
Acceptance into the elective is by application only.
All applications must be submitted through Visiting Student Learning Opportunities™ (VSLO®).
Contact us
Program Manager, Health Professions Education
570-271-8121
mrlongenberger@geisinger.edu