Emergency Medicine

Catalog Description: The student will have the opportunity to work with Emergency Medicine faculty and residents who for direction. Under their supervision, the student is expected to act as the primary physician for Emergency Department (ED) patients, including initial assessment, performance of minor procedures, interpretation of lab and x-ray, and preparation for admission to inpatient services. The student will also have the opportunity to observe critical resuscitations.

Canvas Site

Sites: 

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table.

Required session attendance: Shifts, Orientation, Bequest Lab, Simulation Lab, EMS Ride-Along, Didactics and Written Exam

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode: M-S, varied shifts, including days, evenings and overnights, working directly with physicians and residents

Direct patient care: Yes

Consent Requirement: Arranged. MS3s (Class of 2023) scheduled to take this course during the 21-22 Academic Year will automatically be scheduled for this version of the course within a week of the add/drop period of the term. Email clsched@umn.edu if you have any questions.

Course Objectives: The course is designed to expose the student to a wide variety of acute medical and surgical problems and to teach how to evaluate and treat these problems.  Upon completion of this course, students will:

• Acquire first-hand experience in dealing with emergency problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to competently evaluate, treat, and manage common problems that occur in patients who come to emergency departments such as chest pain, abdominal pain, trauma, shock and shortness of breath.
• Gain experience with common emergency department procedures such as IV access, Foley catheterization and wound management.
• Gain insight into pre-hospital care.
• Students should be able to assess unselected, multicultural patients, evaluate the presenting complaint, obtain a careful history, perform a directed physical examination, list and discuss an appropriate differential diagnoses emphasizing problems common in Emergency Medicine, establish treatment priorities in consultation with ED faculty or senior residents, follow their patients' progress throughout their stay, perform serial examinations if required, and discuss and document discharge plans and patient follow-up.

Specifically, on completion of this course:

• Students should also demonstrate satisfactory performance of selected ED procedures under the supervision of ED faculty or senior residents. Such procedures would include arterial blood gas determinations, starting IV lines, inserting Foley catheters, and suturing uncomplicated wounds.
• Students are also expected to write a legible, succinct ED record documenting the important elements of the ED encounter.
• Students should also accurately interpret common clinical tests (EKGs, serum electrolytes, x-rays), identify abnormalities on these tests, compare abnormalities to previous results (if available), and synthesize information to narrow their differential diagnosis.
• Students will also be expected to apply knowledge of pathophysiology learned in the first two years to explain abnormal physical exam findings or abnormal findings on common clinical tests.
• Students should also attend required ED lectures, conferences and readings as directed by site director.
• Students should be able to empathize with a variety of patients in the ED, be able to resolve reasonable issues in their health care, and act as patient advocates. They should be able to list ED indications for admission to inpatient services.
• Students should arrange follow-up care for patients before these patients are discharged from the ED and become familiar with resources available in the community for patients going home.
• Students should demonstrate a professional demeanor and a positive attitude toward patient care while in the ED.

Graded Components: 

• Daily shift evaluation cards
• Attendance at shifts, lectures, conferences, workshops and labs
• Final examination

Grading Scale: P/N