Elective Description

The fourth-year elective in Anesthesiology is a four-week rotation that is intended to provide a broad overview of the field of anesthesiology. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in a variety of cases from basic ambulatory procedures to more advanced subspecialty cases, obstetric anesthesia, non-OR anesthesia, and acute and chronic pain management.

The rotation is flexible to meet individual students' expectations based on their experience level, goals, and interests. Group didactics will be held daily. The topics and times of the didactic sessions will be distributed before the start of the elective.

Objectives

  • Understand and participate in the preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative care of patients
  • Become familiar with common anesthesia drugs (induction agents, volatile anesthetics, opiates, neuromuscular blocking agents and reversal drugs, local anesthetics), their mechanisms of action, and side effects
  • Appreciate airway management techniques and participate as appropriate
  • Understand basic physiological principles as they apply to anesthesiology
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic anesthesia monitoring
  • Understand different types of anesthetics (MAC vs. general anesthesia vs. regional anesthesia)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the phases of general anesthesia (induction, maintenance, emergence, recovery)
  • Begin formulating a comprehensive anesthetic plan

Prerequisites

Fourth-year medical students must have completed both Medicine and Surgery Clerkships.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted beginning March 18, 2024.

For students interested in applying for a fourth-year rotation, please send a copy of your transcript, board scores, and brief personal statement to anesthesiaresidency@towerhealth.org.

2024 Rotation Schedule

Block 1August 26  - September 20, 2024
Block 2September 23 - October 18, 2024
Block 3October 21 - November 15, 2024
Block 4November 18 - December 13, 2024
Block 5January 6 - January 31, 2025

*Admissions will be on a rolling basis. You will be notified three months prior to the start of the rotation.