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Department of Surgery

Third-Year Clerkship in Surgery Handbook

Overview

 

 

      The twelve-week surgery clerkship is an intense clinical experience that introduces students to the basic principles of surgery. The clerkship is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills relevant to surgical management that all physicians should possess. In addition, it aims to emphasize teamwork, patient responsibility, and professional behavior as essential qualities for young physicians to develop.  We hope that the three months you spend on the surgical services will be rewarding and educational. 

 

      Students rotate on the Surgical Teams at various hospitals in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette areas.  Six weeks of general surgery and two three-week blocks of surgical subspecialties make up the rotation.  During the rotations, students learn pre-, peri-, and post-operative evaluation and management of surgical diseases and participate in surgical procedures. Time is spent on the wards, in outpatient clinics, and in the operating room.

 

      The goal of the surgical experience is to impart an understanding of the basic principles of surgery so that the student will acquire an informational base from which surgical disease can be recognized and appropriate treatment initiated.  This is accomplished through direct patient care, faculty and resident teaching, and a series of lectures and conferences. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on clinical experience and personal interaction with patients.  The experience in surgery is intended to prepare students for whatever area of medicine they may choose for residency.

 

      The clinical clerkship in General Surgery is based on a team concept, wherein students assigned to a service are directly responsible to the residents and staff attending on that service.  Third year clerks, as members of the team, will fully and actively participate in the management of all patients on that service.  The surgical clerks are considered responsible for hospitalized patient management and attending respective clinics.  The specific schedule of hospital rounds as well as participation in various surgical clinics and conferences will be dictated by Chief Residents and faculty.

 

      Should you have any questions, comments, suggestions or problems, please feel free to contact Maureen McDonough, Surgery Student Coordinator, and she will be happy to help you.  Her office is located in Room 508 in the Merv L. Trail Clinical Sciences Research Building.  You are welcome to stop by her office any time or call her at (504) 568-2249.  Dr. Hernan Bazan, Clerkship Director; Dr. Christopher Baker, Department Chairman; and Dr. Danny Frey, Vice Chairman are also available for appointments.

 

      Above all else, we hope you enjoy your experience and the diverse educational opportunities available.