Increasing medical student exposure to musculoskeletal medicine: the initial impact of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group

Figures & data

Table 1 Events and services provided by OSSMIG throughout the academic year

OSSMIG events and services
OSSMIG annual planning meeting
Allows OSSMIG officers, residents, and faculty advisors to meet, review previous events, and coordinate events for the upcoming academic year
Introduction to orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal medicine
Furnishes UWSOM students with information about orthopedic surgery, an introduction to basic concepts in musculoskeletal medicine, and the opportunities available to explore this specialty through OSSMIG
Emergency room orthopedic Trauma Call
Provides UWSOM students with the opportunity to take overnight call shifts at Harborview Medical Center. Students assist residents, learning to evaluate and manage acute injuries in the ER, and gain exposure to orthopedic surgery
Workshop: basic knee, shoulder, and neurologic examination
Teaches students how to perform a thorough knee and shoulder exam, as well as a proper upper and lower extremity distal neurovascular exam
Workshop: basic splinting
Teaches students to correctly apply a variety of splints to the upper and lower extremities, as well as perform simple reduction techniques
Detailed medical student guides
These documents include: general orthopedic information, managing away rotations, streamlining the application process, as well as an impression of orthopedic programs. Guides are internally developed and updated annually
Mentorship networking
Coordinates longitudinal advising of medical students by senior medical students and residents throughout the medical school and the residency application process
Community outreach
OSSMIG members teach local college and high school students about basic musculoskeletal topics through show-and-tell and question-and-answer formats
Research and preceptorships
Facilitates UWSOM students’ setting up and coordinating research opportunities and preceptorships with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine faculty
Subinternships/application counseling
Offers guidance to students throughout the subinternships (away rotations) and residency application process. Meetings and guides are provided
Fourth year mock interviews
A simulated interview experience for fourth year medical students applying to orthopedic surgery residency programs. A panel of residents provides feedback

Abbreviations: ER, emergency room; OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group; UWSOM, University of Washington School of Medicine.

Figure 1 Medical students’ pre- and post-OSSMIG self-assessed competence with musculoskeletal anatomy.

Abbreviation: OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.

Figure 2 Medical students’ pre- and post-OSSMIG self-assessed competence with basic musculoskeletal trauma.

Abbreviation: OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.

Figure 3 Medical students’ attitudes toward institutional vs OSSMIG exposure to musculoskeletal medicine and the field of orthopedic surgery.

Abbreviation: OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.

Figure 4 Medical student attitudes toward institutional vs OSSMIG support to students pursuing a residency in orthopedic surgery.

Abbreviation: OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.

Figure 5 Medical students’ experiences and attitudes toward OSSMIG.

Abbreviation: OSSMIG, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group.