Electives/Sub-Internships
Course Title: Wilderness Medicine Elective
Course Number:
Prerequisite:3rd Year Medical Student or Higher
Department: Emergency Medicine
Department URL:
Type:
Faculty: Ryan Knapp, MD
Location:Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Duration: 2 Weeks
Credits:
When Offered: Spring (proposed dates for 2015: 4/27/2015-5/10/2015)
Visiting Students:
Contact Information
Coordinator: Brenda Ellis
Coordinator E-mail:
Coordinator Phone: 603-650-7254
CourseDescription:
This course is designed to provide students with exposure to wilderness and environmental medicine. Students will develop a knowledge base and skill set related to commonly encountered medical problems related to outdoor activities and austere environments. Educational time will include several didactic sessions as well as hands-on skills workshops. Time during the course will be spent outdoors, practicing many new skills related to wilderness medicine. The course curriculum will include Advanced Wilderness and Life Support certification, which is a national certification process designed specifically for medical professionals.
The first week of this course will focus on skills and pathology commonly associated with mountainous environments. Students will spend time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. A portion of each day will be spent in didactic sessions, followed by hands-on skill workshops in the afternoon. The second week of the course will focus on water related skills and pathology. Again, students will spend a portion of each day in didactic sessions followed by skills workshops. The AWLS curriculum will be incorporated throughout the two weeks and will culminate with the certification testing at the conclusion of the course.
Objectives & Goals:
-Students will develop a foundation of knowledge about commonly encountered pathology related to wilderness and environmental medicine.
-Students will be able to assess, stabilize, treat and transport the injured patient in austere environments.
-Students will learn to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team to coordinate patient care in an austere environment.
-Students will gain Advanced Wilderness and Life Support certification.
-Studentswill be able to safely participate in and prepare for activities in austere environments, including acting as medical support for outdoor group activities.
Instruction:Instruction will be provided by Emergency Medicine Faculty and Residents with particular interest and expertise in Wilderness Medicine. As stated previously, the curriculum will include a blend of didactic and hands-on skills workshop to maximize student learning. Topics covered will include pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of various wilderness and environmental medicine issues such as altitude illness, hypothermia, hyperthermia, frost bite, lightning strikes, submersion injuries, wound management, musculoskeletal injuries, etc. Additionally, practical skills training will include topics such as creating medical kits for practice in the austere environment, patient assessment in the austere environment, patient packaging and evacuation, etc.
Evaluation:This course will be offered on a pass/fail basis. Evaluation will include:
A. standardized evaluation completed by the course director with direct input by course instructors and based on student attendance, participation, and ability to function as part of a team (20% of grade),
B. AWLS written examination (40% of grade),
C. AWLS practical scenario test (40% of grade).
Students must “pass” all three components to receive a passing grade for the entire course.
Special Notes:Additional expenses will be required (lodging, food, and other related travel expenses) for students taking this elective. Away students will be responsible for securing their own transportation to/from the Hanover/Lebanon area. All students will be responsible for providing their own personal gear (such as backpacks, sleeping bags, footwear, clothing, etc). Course instructors will provide a detailed packing list well in advance of the course start date. Note that minimum number of students is 6 with maximum enrollment capped at 10.
APPROVAL
Directions: Please print form and have Department Chair and Sponsor sign. (Clinical Education will submit to Associate Dean of Clinical Education for signature)
______ ______
Department Chair Signature Date
(Please print)
______ ______
Elective Sponsor Signature Date
(Please print)
______
Associate Dean for Clinical Education Signature Date
Return signed copy to:
Office of Clinical Education
HB 7015
AND
Please send electronic copy to:
9/16/2018