Undergraduate Education
The uOttawa Orthopaedic Surgery program provides foundational training in musculoskeletal medicine for all MD graduates and provides mentoring for students wishing to learn more about the specialty and pursue a career in orthopaedic surgery.
WELCOME MESSAGE
The University of Ottawa Orthopaedic Surgery Program provides training to undergraduate medical students at various stages of their training. Our division members and residents strive to create a learning environment that is both engaging and inspiring, and provides all graduating physicians with foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal principles and common disorders. Students at all levels of training are encouraged to pursue electives in our division to learn more about the specialty of orthopaedic surgery and if a career in orthopaedic surgery is right for you.
Undergraduate Program Structure
Click on a program to reveal more details.
Year 1-2 (Pre-clerkship/Foundations)
- MSK lectures in fall term of year 1
- Faculty-led lectures covering fundamental topics in musculoskeletal care, including:
- Anatomy
- Radiology
- Fractures
- Soft-tissue injuries/disorders
- Pediatric orthopaedic conditions
- Arthritis
- Musculoskeletal oncology (e.g. bone and soft tissue tumors)
- Faculty-led lectures covering fundamental topics in musculoskeletal care, including:
- Physical Exam Skills
- Weekly small-group sessions teaching physical examination of the spine and major joints (e.g. hip, knee, shoulder, elbow)
- Team-based learning (TBL) sessions
- Faculty-facilitated sessions in which students work in small teams to solve patient case scenarios
- Electives
- Year 1 & 2 medical students may complete half-day or full-day electives in orthopaedic surgery, if they desire.
- These elective experiences provide an excellent opportunity to explore the specialty of orthopaedic surgery and provide some early clinical exposure to solidify concepts learned in the MSK Foundations unit.
Year 3 (Clerkship)
Two (2) week clerkship rotations expose students to out-patient, in-patient, and emergency orthopaedic care. During these rotations, students are encouraged to play an active role on the team to maximize their learning exposure. Students will join the orthopaedic residents on patient rounds, attend daily morning teaching session, see patients in the out-patient clinic and/or attend surgery (based on learning/service needs), and may see urgent orthopaedic consults in the emergency department. Clerkship students also complete call shifts until 11pm during their rotation.
Year 4 (Electives)
Students from University of Ottawa and other Canadian medical schools may complete 2-4 week clerkship electives in Orthopaedic Surgery.
These electives can provide a more in-depth exposure to the various sub-specialties in orthopaedics for students wishing to gain greater knowledge and exposure to the specialty. Students may request an elective in a specific subspecialty, if desired.
Orthopaedic subspecialties include:
- Trauma
- Hip & Knee Arthroplasty (Joint replacement)
- Sports
- Shoulder & Elbow
- Hand & Wrist
- Spine
- Foot & Ankle
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
- Oncology
For additional information on electives and to apply for an elective, please visit the Faculty of Medicine Undergraduate Office website. https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/undergraduate/electives-overview
Research
There is no formal research requirement for undergraduate students in Orthopaedic surgery. Students who are interested in getting involved in research projects through the division of Orthopaedic surgery may contact us for further information.
