Medical Student Section
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at the Medical College of Wisconsin offers many opportunities for medical student education. Given the affiliations with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Medical Center, there exists a fertile environment for patient care and teaching. The PM&R department consists of 26 faculty members, committed to resident and student teaching, patient care, and research. Medical students participate in weekly resident educational didactic sessions, a medical student weekly lecture series, bedside teaching, as well as other educational opportunities that arise.
During the M1 year, students have the opportunity to learn more about the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation through the Medical College of Wisconsin PM&R Student Club. The students organize this club, with Dr. Oksana Sayko as the advisor. Research opportunities exist in the department. Students are encouraged to contact Timothy Dillingham, MD, Michelle Johnson, PhD or individual faculty members to arrange.
During the M2 year, PM&R faculty participates in the Introduction to Clinical Examination course, teaching a component of the musculoskeletal exam. Faculty additionally serves as on-site mentors to the M2 students during the "History and Physical Exam" portion of this course. Students are encouraged to continue their involvement in the MCW PM&R Student Club and pursue research activities as desired.
M3 PM&R Student rotations include graded electives in:
Neuroscience Rehabilitation
This elective, located primarily at the Veteran's Hospital, is designed to assist medical students in the evaluation and treatment of patients with neurologic disorders, including spinal cord injury. Students will learn to perform focused, functional evaluations, correlate the pathologic lesion with physical exam, gain exposure to long-term disability and medical issues, and integrate care within the entire rehabilitation team.
Sports and Spine Rehabilitation
This electice, located in the MCW SpineCare and Sports Medicine clinics will provide medical students exposure to the diagnosis and treatment of spine and sports/musculoskeletal disorders.
Neurorehabilitation and Spasticity Management
This elective, located at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and Children's Hospital, is designed to introduce medical students to neurorehabilitation and spasticity management. Through exposure to comprehensive rehabilitation of brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and other neurologic conditions, students will improve their understanding of rehabilitation concepts and spasticity management tools available to improve functional outcomes.
Pediatric Rehabilitation
This elective at Children's Hospital is designed to introduce medical students to pediatric congenital and developmental disorders, traumatic injuries and disease processes which interfere with normal growth and development. Improved understanding of rehabilitation concepts will occur through exposure to the entire rehabilitation team in an inpatient and outpatient setting.
M4 PM&R Student rotations include graded electives in:
Sports and Spine Rehabilitation
This elective, located in the MCW SpineCare clinic and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics, is designed to assist students in learning about the evaluation and treatment of common non-surgical musculoskeletal disorders involving the neck, back, knee, shoulder, ankle and foot.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation
This elective, located at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital neurorehabilitation unit and outpatient clinic, is designed to assist medical students in learning about brain injury, the resultant neurological and behavioral deficits, and rehabilitative approach to brain injury care. This will include exposure to the entire rehabilitation team, discussion of pharmacologic approaches applied in brain injury rehabilitation, and long-term care planning.
Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injured Persons
During this elective located at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital Spinal Cord Injury unit and outpatient clinic, medical students will become familiar with acute spinal cord injury care, identify critical elements of the interdisciplinary team, and improve their awareness of disability management.
Independent Study
This elective, arranged through Dr. Jacqueline Wertsch, will allow medical students the opportunity to become familiar with the clinical and research breadth of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, design and complete a research project within the month, prepare and present it orally as well as in written format.
Pediatric Rehabilitation
This elective at Children's Hospital is designed to assist medical students in learning about pediatric congenital and developmental disorders, traumatic injuries and disease processes, functional comprehensive rehabilitation, and long-term management issues including spasticity management and vent care.
Spasticity Management and Rehabilitation
This elective, located at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and Children's Hospital, is designed to assist medical students in learning about neurological injury and disease processes, functional comprehensive rehabilitation, and long-term management of spasticity utilizing physical and occupational therapy, medication management, botox injections, baclofen pumps, and surgical treatments.
And graded selectives in:
PM&R
Located in the VA General Rehabilitation unit, medical students will gain exposure to and work as part of a formal interdisciplinary team providing medical and rehabilitative care to individuals with functionally limiting conditions such as amputation, stroke, multiple trauma, fracture, MS and general debilitation following critical illness. Students will be able to differentiate between impairment, disability, and handicap as well as gain fundamental knowledge of acute medical management of common illnesses seen during rehabilitation.
Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation and Neuromuscular Exam
This elective is located off campus, under the direction of Dr. Sri Vasudevan. Students will work predominantly in outpatient hospital based settings, focusing primarily on comprehensive pain evaluation and management. Students will be able to understand the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of the pain experience, and the effects of pain upon the individual's physical, vocational, social, family, and psychological functions.
Additional contact information and course descriptions can be found in the course catalog on the Registrar's Web site.
The American Academy of PM&R website offers further resource information regarding PM&R as a career choice, as well as residency programs.
Please contact Kerry Harris, PM&R Undergraduate Medical Education coordinator or Oksana Sayko MD, PM&R Undergraduate Medical Education Director for further information.