Curriculum

Journal club

A monthly journal club is mandatory to stay current with the Podiatric/Orthopedic literature as it pertains to the foot and leg. The resident chooses a topic of interest and presents it with a critical evaluation of the literature. The program also incorporates the Podiatry Present Courseware (TM) Online Lecture Program as additional exposure to the current medical and surgical literature.

Anatomy dissection lab - simulation/skills lab

Regularly scheduled dissection labs are held with a Beaumont, Farmington Hills staff anatomist reviewing lower extremity anatomy via lecture and Cadaver Dissection Laboratory. Surgical anatomy, incision planning and three-dimensional relations are discussed early in the year. As the program progresses, attention is directed to all areas of the forefoot, rearfoot and ankle. Osteotomy training is also performed on saw bones. A-O fixation techniques are explained and performed to the resident.

Lecturing/clinical pathology conference 

Each quarter, the resident is required to address the podiatry staff on a relevant topic. The resident uses hospital facilities to prepare power-point presentations, handouts and other audiovisuals necessary for the lecture.

Medical records

The resident receives instruction in proper protocols and format for maintaining medical records both for the ambulatory and in-house patient. Included in the instruction is how to use pertinent information when performing histories and physicals, progress notes, operative reports, discharge summaries and consultations.
Risk management conferences

The resident attends several lectures on podiatric risk management including the law of medical malpractice and informed consent. Issues such as asset projection, incorporation, wills and trusts are discussed. The residents may be given an opportunity to observe Worker's Compensation and Medical Malpractice depositions.

Podiatry clinic

Podiatric residents participate in a resident-driven, attending-supervised office-based clinic. Pathology seen at this full working clinic includes diabetic wound care, palliative care, biomechanics and pediatrics. Significant surgical cases are generated from clinic patients

Mission associated with the Baja Project 

Residents may participate in the clinical and surgical treatment of pediatric clubfoot and related deformities on a yearly mission to Honduras.

Board review

A regularly scheduled weekly lecture is mandatory for preparation for the ABFAS and ABPOPPM boards. The resident will be given comprehensive didactic instruction.

• plastic surgery
• vascular surgery
• orthopedic foot/ankle
• sports medicine
• pediatric orthopedic surgery
• endocrine
• wound care
• dermatology

These rotations provide the resident with an appreciation of:

• anatomy
• surgical techniques
• tissue handling
• preoperative and postoperative considerations in non-podiatric surgical procedure

The resident discusses preoperative and postoperative issues with the surgeon and is given lectures dealing with the anatomy encountered in the particular surgery. The resident acts as an active first and second assistant in those cases.

The podiatric resident is assigned to an anesthesiologist and exposed to the indications, pharmacology, anatomy, physiological effects and techniques involved in the administration of general, regional and local anesthesia.

Daily tasks include

• intubation
• resuscitation
• administering local and general anesthesia
• establish IV routes
• preoperative
• perioperative and postoperative assessment of patient's health status

The rotation provides the resident with an appreciation of the emergency room procedures. The resident becomes competent with regards to

• acute injury
• acute illness
• drug overdose
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• airway management
• insertion of IV's catheters
• nasogastric tube insertion
• gastric lavage and podiatric lower extremity trauma

The resident becomes competent in podiatric radiographic techniques including

• stress radiographs
• arthrography
• ultrasound
• MRI and CT Scan

The resident reviews non-podiatric studies encompassing

• chest films
• arteriograms arthrograms
• venograms and nuclear scan

A special two-week rotation provides magnetic resonance imaging experience. An advanced radiographic imaging (MRI, CT, Nuclear Scan) teaching file was created and is available as an ongoing educational benefit to residents.

These rotations permit the resident to be familiar with diagnosing and treating patients with rheumatologic diseases as well as general medical conditions. Participation in EKG reading and performance is included. The resident accompanies the rheumatologist and internist at Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital and office setting and examines, performs history & physical examinations and contributes to many patients' diagnosis and treatment. These medicine rotations enhance the resident’s medicine foundation.

The resident reviews and identifies soft tissue and bony pathology, both grossly and with a pathologist. The resident assists in

• autopsies
• microscopic techniques and analysis

Didactic sessions are offered by the pathologist which the resident attends. Clinical Pathology/Podiatric Case Presentations are conducted throughout the academic year.

The resident becomes competent to perform surgical procedures encompassing

• soft tissue
• digital surgery
• lesser metatarsal surgery
• surgery of the first ray
• midfoot surgery
• tendon transfers
• general/reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgical procedures

The resident performs both medical and podiatric history and physical examinations on the patient. He or she reviews preoperative films and special studies such as CT and MRIs. The resident is trained in perioperative management of the podiatric surgical patient. The resident also experiences enhanced podiatric and orthopedic foot & ankle reconstruction/trauma rotations for advanced skills & judgment.

The resident is exposed to the clinical experience of podiatric patient care. The resident has the opportunity to work up patients

• surgically
• biomechanically
• perform palliative care
• diagnose and treat dermatologic conditions of the feet
• work-up of podopediatric conditions
• perform tapings
• casting for orthotic devices
• diagnose and treat various arthritic conditions
• perform podiatric history and physical examination
• write prescriptions for medications
• orthotic devices
• orthopedic shoes
• and work-up sports related conditions

This also includes the Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital Podiatry Clinics and private practitioner office rotations. The resident is also involved in diabetic education and treatment of disenfranchised patients.

The objective of this rotation provides the resident with a thorough understanding of

• antibiotics
• their bacterial spectrums
• dosages
• toxicities and complications

• performs and reads gram-stains
• recognizes diagnoses
• treats local skin infections and abscesses
• recognizes and treats
  • wet gangrene
  • septicemia
  • osteomyelitis
  • diagnoses etiologies of fever
  • treats foot infections
  • recognizes and treats postoperative infections

A rotation in rehabilitative medicine exposes the resident to patients with musculoskeletal and neurological pain problems. It also offers exposure to neurological manifestations of disease processes. The podiatric resident attends muscular dystrophy clinics.

A rotation involves the podiatric resident with staff trainers participating in a variety of learning experiences with patients of all ages to recognize the implications of life changes on health and disease. Behavioral science lectures by staff psychiatrists and social workers support the resident's didactic education.

A regularly scheduled weekly lecture is mandatory for preparation for the ABFAS and ABPOPPM boards. The resident will be given comprehensive didactic instruction.