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Department Statement of Goals...

Orthopaedics requires more than technical proficiency and cognitive mastery of an increasingly diverse, complex body of knowledge spanning multiple disciplines. Analytic skills and creative problem-solving are also required of competent practitioners. Most importantly, orthopaedics involves the art of healing human beings, whose musculoskeletal problems can neither be fully understood nor effectively treated outside the context of the whole persons who experience them. It is the intent and commitment of this program to instill in our residents the skills and attitudes that enable them to practice responsible orthopaedic surgery, whether in a purely clinical or an academic setting.

The Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University is committed to the following objectives:

Teaching responsibilities include medical students, residents, fellows, faculty and physicians pursuing continuing medical education. They extend also to ancillary members of the health care team. Primary emphasis is placed upon educating resident physicians to become competent orthopaedic surgeons. Residents who complete the program have a broad educational background that prepares them well for any general orthopaedic practice. Faculty encourage residents to develop a spirit of inquiry conducive to self-education over a professional lifetime. Emphasis is placed upon decision analysis, psychomotor skills, anatomy and pathophysiology. Teaching skills are also cultivated. All house officers are expected to participate in the education of medical students and their more junior colleagues.

This commitment requires a high degree of competence in currently recommended surgical techniques within each orthopaedic subspecialty. Broad knowledge of developing conceptual and technical improvements upon current practice is also required. Innovative contributions to the orthopaedic knowledge base are strongly encouraged. Besides developing the necessary skills for providing excellent patient care, residents have opportunities to become involved in clinical and basic research projects. In accordance with AAOS guidelines and the department's own requirements, orthopaedic residency training at Vanderbilt includes experience in research, not just exposure to it. The gradual expansion of our basic science program has stimulated a growing number of residents to develop serious research interests.

Our faculty were trained at a variety of distinguished institutions. Their diversity enriches the quality of resident education.

Departmental staff include skilled professionals in a number of disciplines besides medicine. Without their dedicated efforts departmental objectives could not be met.

Two faculty members have served as president of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and another has been president of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association. All faculty play active roles in the continuing medical education of their peers in the United States and abroad. Outstanding research contributions have been made in biomechanics and cell biology.

Departmental faculty and staff are actively engaged with colleagues throughout the Medical Center to improve the quality and accessibility of patient care. Residents interested in developing administrative skills are afforded opportunities to participate in developing CME courses.