Predoc Program Gears Up For March Procedure Fair

The Department of Family Medicine’s (DFM) Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE) is getting ready for its 2009 Procedure Fair, scheduled for the evening of March 25, 2009, at the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC).The Department of Family Medicine's (DFM) Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE) is getting ready for its 2009 Procedure Fair, scheduled for the evening of March 25, 2009, at the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC).

The annual event offers medical students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the variety of procedures performed by family medicine and other primary care physicians.

The Program: Dinner + Workshops

The procedure fair begins with a dinner in the HSLC atrium, followed by a welcome reception in an adjacent lecture hall. Students then break up into smaller groups to participate in workshops on the following topics:

• Casting/splinting/taping;
• Suturing;
• EKG reading;
• Joint injections;
• Gynecological procedures;
• Basic and prenatal obstetrics; and
• Obstetric ultrasound.

Each workshop lasts about an hour; students complete two during the evening. Students can choose the topics they're most interested in when they register.

During the workshops, DFM faculty and residents demonstrate procedures and give students a chance to practice it themselves. For some procedures, like casting or EKG, students, residents, and DFM volunteers serve as "patients"; for others, students practice on models.

A Fun, Informative Experience

The fair is open to all interested medical students, but generally attracts those in their first and second years, said OMSE Interim Director Jacob Prunuske, MD, MSPH. "Students in their preclinical years can get a taste of what's coming down the road in their education."

The fair also gives medical students a positive experience with the DFM. "The fair is low stress and lots of fun," said Dr. Prunuske. "It's a wonderful opportunity for medical students not only to gain hands-on experience, but also to get one-on-one contact with DFM faculty and residents."

Participants in last year's fair certainly agree. Every student who attended last year said that the workshop met their expectations and that they would recommend having another one next year. Specific student comments included:

• "Lots of hands-on learning and one-on-one attention… this was definitely worth my time."
• "I learned really useful and awkward techniques that will be a little easier the next time I try them."
• "Far surpassed my expectations. I thought I would be lectured at, but instead everything felt very hands-on."
• "It was really informative and great to work/talk to doctors so informally."
• "The procedures give me new confidence in the family doctor's ability to do diverse procedures."

Registration & Additional Information

Procedures workshop details and registration is now available.

For more information about the fair, contact DFM Medical Student Programs Coordinator: omse.coordinator@fammed.wisc.edu