Enhanced Skills Program: Sports and Exercise Medicine Inpatient MSK Rehabilitation & Spine Surgery Goals and Objectives

Curriculum Rotational Goals & Objectives 
Program Coordinator: Dr. Mark Leung

Rotations are numbered according to their Block Number - see Curriculum Map for more details.

Block 9. Inpatient Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation & Spine Surgery

The goal of this 4-week rotation is to develop skills in efficient, evidence-based spine diagnosis, appropriate investigation, and management, and to become proficient at the post-operative care of common MSK surgery. This occurs through participation in inpatient MSK wards at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and in spine surgery clinics, working with advanced care spine practitioners and the spine surgeon.

For this rotation, please focus the evaluation on the following CanMEDs roles:

  • Medical Expert
  • Communicator
  • Professional

Please refer to the Curriculum Map for more details.

Medical Expert:

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Summarize the typical post-operative course expectations of a total joint replacement.
  2. Provide appropriate support for psychosocial needs in discharge home following orthopaedic surgery.
  3. Describe the typical presentations of the 4 patterns of mechanical low back pain.
  4. Recognize the yellow flags related to mechanical low back pain and how they impact prognosis in this clinical context.
  5. Refer low back pain appropriately, both in terms of when and to whom a referral is made.

Communicator:

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Manage and synthesize the input of all participating parties along with other collateral sources in the musculoskeletal inpatient.
  2. Exhibit effective and timely verbal and written communication skills, including: communicating with patients and families, verbal presentation of consultations, documentation and consult letters, and use of EMR systems.
  3. Deliver clear and instructive feedback to patients and other relevant related parties around diagnosis, relevant etiological factors, other required investigations, and the potential risks and benefits of various management options.
  4. Discuss the patient's beliefs, concerns, illness experience, and specifically focus on the patient's expectations in terms of pain relief and improved function.
  5. Skillfully recognize and manage communication challenges, such as in the context of low back pain patients with yellow flags.

Collaborator:

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Participate effectively and appropriately in an interprofessional healthcare team
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the unique roles and skills of each allied health professional encountered

Manager

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Demonstrate time management skills to reflect and balance priorities for patient care, sustainable practice, and personal life

Health advocate:

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Support the health of patients/families by appropriate referrals, support and information on health maintenance, lifestyle, community/home resources
  2. Demonstrate knowledge about the resources available to MSK patients and their families through the wider health system

Scholar

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Maintain and enhance professional activities through ongoing learning.

Professional:

Objectives: By the end of this rotation, the resident will be able to…

  1. Demonstrate a commitment to patients and their families, as well as to their profession and to society, through ethical practice.
  2. Demonstrate insight into his/her limitations.
  3. Be responsive to constructive feedback.
  4. Exhibit proper professional behaviour (e.g. meeting deadlines and being punctual).
  5. Maintains appropriate boundaries, including appropriate draping for a physical examination and appropriate presentation of a case to a group in the presence of the patient.