SURG 9232

Southeast Campus

General Surgery

Location of Elective: Park Rapids, MN

Preceptor(s): Dan Smith, MD

Period(s) offered and number of students per period: Most months, 1 student. The student must pre-arrange the elective with the preceptor.

Purpose: Exposure to a busy rural general surgery practice and to a large bariatric surgery practice (average about 300 gastric bypass/year).

Objectives: Following successful completion of this elective, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate preoperative evaluation and postoperative care problems specific for a rural hospital.

2. Discuss basic operative principles and techniques.

3. Discuss the management of morbid obesity, including preoperative evaluation, surgery, and postoperative care.

4. Appreciate the lifestyle of a rural surgeon.

Instructional Activities: During this elective, the student will be involved in/experience:

1. Daily hospital rounds from a surgical perspective.

2. Participate in surgical procedures.

3. Daily assigned reading and discussion of surgical topics.

4. Outpatient surgical care.

Criteria for Grading: During and following this elective, the preceptor will:

1. Review the student’s understanding of assigned reading on surgical topics

2. Evaluate the professionalism of the student during activities in the clinic and hospital

3. Assess the student’s clinical and operative skills

4. Utilize the standardized senior elective form.