Formal Medical Student Courses

Musculoskeletal Care Clinical Block

Course Directors: Frank Scott, MD, and William Sullivan, MD

Course Coordinator: Analy Rodriguez

A two-week required block – includes Orthopedics, PM&R, Rheumatology, and MSK Radiology

Goal: To develop knowledge of musculoskeletal examination and clinical care.

Objectives: By the end of this rotation students will be able to:
• Perform a musculoskeletal extremity exam for the major anatomic areas – shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle.
• Interpret musculoskeletal x-rays of common fractures and degenerative conditions.
• Assess patients with overuse, degenerative, and traumatic problems and describe treatment options.
• Access pertinent information concerning musculoskeletal patient care.

Description: A clinic rotation working with residents and faculty at one of the affiliated hospitals in the OR and clinic settings. Students are given texts to use, meet one hour each week with a member of the faculty for an interactive teaching session and attend the department conferences. The students are evaluated by faculty and a short written interpretive test. Honors is available by preparing a case report if other evaluations are satisfactory.

Faculty: Departments of Orthopedics, Rheumatology, PM&R, and Radiology

Enrollment: All MSIII students are required to participate. Student grading is pass/fail due to the short rotation.

Clinical Sub-Internship

Course Director: Frank Scott, MD

Course Coordinator: Analy Rodriguez

A four-week elective for MSIV students.

This course is open to all MSIV students enrolled in accredited Medical Schools with an interest in the orthopedic inpatient surgical experience at the University of Colorado. For more information on eligibility, please contact  CUSOM Visiting Students or 303-724-8026. Visiting students should become familiar with the requirements set by Student Affairs prior to contact. External applications will be reviewed by course director prior to approval.

Goal: Further development of medical students with an interest in an orthopaedic surgery residency.

Objectives: By the end of this rotation students should be able to:
• Participate in the full spectrum of orthopaedic patient care.
• Determine if Orthopedics is career option suitable for them.

Description: This a four-week elective designed for the student interested in Orthopaedics or a similar surgical specialty. The student will join a resident-faculty team for two weeks at two of our affiliated hospitals. They will take call, attend conferences, and participate in all inpatient and outpatient clinical activities. Student evaluation is by faculty and includes Pass/High Pass/Honors grading.

Faculty: Department of Orthopedics

Enrollment: This has averaged 30-40 students from CU and other US medical schools per year. The course evaluation is online.

Primary Care Orthopedics

​Course Director: Frank Scott, MD

Course Coordinator: Analy Rodriguez

A 4 week elective for MSIV students

Goal: Development of musculoskeletal knowledge of medical students interested in primary care or internal medicine residency.

Objectives: This is a clinical rotation tailored to the needs of the student. It does not include surgery.

Description: This elective is designed for students planning a career in one of the primary care fields who wish more in-depth experience with musculoskeletal medicine. Time is spent primarily in the outpatient clinics and at department conferences. Students are given reference texts to use during the rotation. Student evaluation is by faculty.

Faculty: Department of Orthopedics

Enrollment: Averages 15 students per year. The course evaluation is currently written.

Sports Medicine Course Director: Frank Scott, MD

Course Coordinator: Analy Rodriguez

A four-week elective for MSIV students

Goal: To present sports medicine concepts and knowledge to medical students interested orthopaedic or primary care sports medicine careers.

Description: This course provides clinical experience in all aspects of Sports Medicine including orthopedic care, primary care, operating room procedures, and sporting event coverage. Students will work in the sports medicine clinics on the University of Denver and University of Colorado campuses. They will attend department, as well as sports specific, conferences. Student evaluation is by the faculty.

Faculty: Departments of Orthopedics, Sports Medicine Faculty Enrollment: Enrollment has averaged five students per year. This course is taken by students interested in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. The course evaluation is written.

Enrollment: Enrollment has averaged five students per year. This course is taken by students interested in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. The course evaluation is written.

Orthopedic Research

Course Director: Frank Scott, MD

Course Coordinator: Analy Rodriguez

A 4 to 12 week elective for MSIV students

Goal: To provide an opportunity for medical students to learn and participate in orthopedic research.

Description: This elective provides an opportunity for students to participate in basic science or clinical research projects with members of the orthopaedic faculty. Students may participate in established projects or originate their own if time and funding permits. The student is evaluated by their mentor.

Faculty: Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Enrollment: Enrollment averages about five students per year. Students must have a research mentor and research project approved prior to enrollment.