Advanced Emergency Medicine

EMER 7500 Advanced Emergency Medicine

Brief Description of Course

The Emergency Medicine course is a 2-week immersive course in which students gain experience in assessment and management of the undifferentiated acutely presenting patient. This experience will enhance students’ understanding of what a referral to the Emergency Department means for patients. Students will be expected to consult with specialists about patient care and create a safe disposition plan for their patients at the end of their emergency department evaluation. This course is based entirely in an Emergency Department and, when available, students will have an opportunity to choose from an academic, community or rural setting. Students will generally work alongside one attending physician (or MD team) during each of their 7 shifts during the two-week rotation and will be expected to participate in all aspects of patient care including evaluation, treatment, documentation and emergent procedures. 

Timeline

The Emergency Medicine course is 14 days in duration. Students will work an average of seven 8-hour shifts during this two- week period (i.e. approximately 56 hours total). Some students may work a smaller number of longer shifts depending upon their assigned site. Shifts will be scheduled in the morning, evening and/or overnight. Students will receive their schedule at least two weeks before the beginning of the rotation. There will be no required activities after 5p on the final Sunday of the rotation except in rare circumstances.

Additionally, students will be scheduled for an approximately 4-hour observational activity at the Utah Poison Control Center (School of Pharmacy), on the first or second Tuesday of the rotation. They will also have a required shadowing experience with a member of the crisis and/or social work team which will take place either at their assigned site or at the UU ED.

During this rotation, students will independently obtain clinical ultrasound images at their assigned site. Students may choose to obtain images under the supervision of their assigned attending or the shift depending upon provider comfort and availability. We recommend that you watch the assigned learning module which is available on Canvas on the first day of the rotation and this is a required activity. On the second Thursday of the block, all rotating students will have an US image review session with Dr. Jen Cotton or an Ultrasound Fellow to discuss the clinical ultrasound images they have obtained during their clinical shifts. A short quiz based on the material presented in the ultrasound learning module must also be completed prior to the image review session.

Schedule

In person orientation on the very first Monday of the rotation at the University of Utah ED is required. You will be scheduled for seven 8-hour shifts in addition to a crisis shadowing shift and a 4-hour observational activity at the Utah Poison Control Center (School of Pharmacy). On the second Thursday of the block all rotating students will have an image review session with an Ultrasound fellow or attending.  

Schedules for this rotation are not able to be altered. Approved absences will need to be communicated to the program manager at least 4 weeks in advance of the rotation start. Absences or schedule changes are not guaranteed.

Assessment & Grading

Prerequisites

• This course is open to MS4 clerkship students only. MS3 interested in Emergency Medicine will need prior approval. EMER 7500 will be available year round. Please refer to Tools to see availability.

• To enroll in EMER 7500 Advanced Emergency Medicine, a student must have successfully completed two of the following Phase III Clerkships: Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine. 

• Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for students who are considering a career in Emergency Medicine. Please contact Ella ella.musuris@hsc.utah.edu with questions. 

Course Requirements

• The elective is a 2 week rotation consisting of various learning modules and seven 8 hour shifts at the University of Utah ED, South Jordan ED, Primary Children's ED, or VA ED. Students will be expected to work weekends, holidays, and nights, as well as weekdays.

• 100% clinical