The Department of Anesthesiology introduces second-year medical students to anesthesia as a specialty; helps third-year students develop concepts and technical skills related to resuscitation, airway management, and care of the unconscious patient; and offers fourth-year students intensive study in the specialty.

Anesthesia Rotation
116:006

This introductory two week rotation in the Department of Anesthesia is for third or fourth year medical students, and will acquaint them with the perioperative management of patients.

Students will attend didactic lectures on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am in the Cullen Conference Room, and Case Conferences on Wednesday afternoons from 5:00-6:00 PM. In addition they will receive a series of approximately nine lectures designed specifically for medical students which cover the basic facets of anesthetic management. The didactic material is supplemented with extensive clinical exposure where medical students will have a clinical OR assignment with resident or faculty physicians for a variety of cases. Clinical opportunities are generally provided in the Main Operating Room Suite of the UIHC; however, anesthesia care is also provided at other sites in the hospital including the Urology Department, ECT treatment room, and other satellite locations. Each student will also spend a day in the Pain Clinic.

Students will undergo a computerized examination at the completion of their two weeks, but will also be evaluated clinically during the rotation by residents or faculty. The final grade is determined by performance on the computer examination and the clinical evaluations. Students must pass the computer examination to pass the course. This course serves as a prerequisite for Clinical Anesthesia 116:010 which is available to the senior medical students as well as the four-week rotation in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit.

Please contact Kristina Staab at 6-7466 for information regarding the departmental absence policy, including COC clinics, residency interviews, and UI holidays.

NOTE: The Department of Anesthesia offers an Externship program for students in their senior year. It is recommended that students interested in applying for this program take the 116:006 two week Anesthesia rotation during their third year. To be eligible for the Anesthesia Externship, a student must have completed the 2 week rotation prior to start of the externship in May 2009. They should also plan to take the Clinical Anesthesia 116:010 four week rotation early in their fourth year.

The Clerkship Director is Dr. James Choi. Questions regarding scheduling and other aspects of the rotation may be directed to Kristina Staab at the Anesthesia Department office. Her phone number is 356-7466 and e-mail is kristina-staab@uiowa.edu.

Four Week Senior Anesthesia Rotation
116:010

Advanced clinical experience in anesthesia management of surgical patients with co-existing medical problems; clinical experience in various forms of anesthesia; general, regional (spinal, epidural, peripheral nerve block) anesthesia; practical experience in airway management; mask ventilation, endotracheal intubation, LMA placement, other alternative airway techniques; medical management of surgical patient under anesthesia; pharmacology, cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology; case conferences.

SICU Rotation
116:011

Evaluation, treatment of seriously ill patients in intensive care; ventilator management, evaluation of pulmonary function, monitoring of cardiovascular status, fluid balance and acid base problems, advance monitoring techniques.