Spine

Description: 
Residents will observe and participate in the diagnosis and management of spine injuries and disorders during a 10 week rotation as a PGY-2 and 4.  Clinic patients will be seen at VUMC and 100 Oaks/Comprehensive Spine Center and all operative procedures performed at VUMC.

Resident role and expectations:
The PGY-4 resident will function as a senior resident, with responsibility in the diagnosis and management of spine injuries and disorders under the direct supervision of the attending staff. The PGY-2 resident will function as a junior resident, with responsibility in the diagnosis and management of spine injuries and disorders under the direct supervision of the PGY-4 resident, fellow and attending staff.

Readings:
OKU-Spine

Attendings:
Clint Devin, M.D.
Byron Stephens, M.D.

Goals and Objectives by the end of this rotation:

  1. Patient care:  to attain primary skills in
    1. diagnosis of common spinal disorders
    2. competency in spinal and neurological examination
    3. basic reading of spinal imaging studies
    4. interpretation of special tests: discography, diagnostic blocks, EMG
    5. herniated cervical and lumbar discs
    6. spinal stenosis
    7. common backache
    8. spondylolisthesis
    9. spinal deformity
    10. metastatic disease
  2. Professionalism:  Demonstrate professionalism and interpersonal skills necessary for inpatient management of pre and post-operative spinal surgery patients.
  3. System-based practice:  Competence in patient care coordination with associate practitioners (Fellow and NP) also caring for patients on the service.  Ability to work with outside services including worker’s compensation and civil litigation documentation and strategies in patient care.
  4. System-based practice:  Demonstrate understanding of how to work effectively in various health care delivery settings and systems for spine patients, including the Emergency department in evaluating and treating traumatic spine injuries.  Demonstrate collaboration with the ED physicians in preparing and conducting orthopaedic procedures.
  5. Professionalism: Demonstrate initiative in the needs of patients and professional staff, showing honesty, compassion, and respect for the patient issues both in terms of the medical diagnosis and the psychosocial ramifications.
  6. Practice-based learning:  Demonstrate self-improvement through a critique of their performance during presentation of M&M cases.