Home Medicine MY TURN: Why I mentor medical students

MY TURN: Why I mentor medical students

by Universalwellnesssystems


If you live in or near Idaho, north of Boise, and have a sore foot or ankle that requires surgery, chances are good that our paths cross.

I have specialized training in foot and ankle surgery in Idaho and am one of only six board certified orthopedic surgeons by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons.

As an orthopedic surgeon in private practice with an interest in academics and research, mentoring Idaho WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) medical students is one of the best ways I can give back to my field. prosper. Regardless of what type of doctor you want to be, musculoskeletal care education is a valuable tool you can bring to your community.

Musculoskeletal injuries are some of the most common reasons for emergency department and primary care visits. The 2012 National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that more than half of adults suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (126.6 million, or 54%).

Back to basics for future patients

I started teaching part-time at the University of Idaho to Idaho WWAMI medical students over a year ago. WWAMI is his 50-year partnership between the top-ranked Washington University School of Medicine and her five regional states. It is the only publicly funded medical school in Idaho. This means that each year, 40 medical students (all Idaho residents) take state classes, starting with classes at the U of I, to attend her one of the best medical schools in the country. I can.

My involvement includes guest lectures and working closely with Andrew Spencer, president of the student chapter of an orthopedic interest group and currently a sophomore medical student at Starr University. With his help, we provide medical students with opportunities such as workshops on casts and joint injections to gain hands-on experience in clinical orthopedics before beginning emergency medicine, family practice, or surgical rotations. You can stack it.

Research reason

Equipping medical students with basic clinical skills is one way to ensure that Idahoans get the help they need from well-trained, community-based doctors. Another indirect way is to contribute to orthopedic research. Andrew and I were recently published in the journal Foot and Ankle Orthopedics. This work will help advance the field, and will also help Andrew become more familiar with the research and publishing processes, and strengthen his residency application.

WHY I WORK WITH WWAMI

Practicing subspecialized care in Northern Idaho is very rewarding, and so is teaching WWAMI medical students. Most of the students in Andrew’s cohort become family doctors. Idaho More than half would choose to open a practice in Idaho if his WWAMI pattern of the last 50 years fits. Helping WWAMI students acquire basic clinical and research skills will later lead them to become physicians, treating patients with common orthopedic conditions and providing the highest level of care in rural Idaho. It means becoming more confident.

• • •

After completing medical school and residency, Dr. Christopher Arena completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. In his 2020 he will join his Orthopaedic Sports Institute in Coeur d’Alene and is looking forward to working with the OSI team. The OSI team is committed to further advancing the field of orthopedics through research and development.

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