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University of Florida Orthopaedic Surgery - Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program

Goals & Objectives

The mission of the orthopaedic surgery residency program is to provide the foundation for a lifetime of learning and practice of orthopaedic surgery, and to produce graduates who exemplify the highest ideals of our profession. It is our purpose to excel in research, education and clinical service, while maintaining the highest ethical standards and providing compassionate healthcare services.

For the program as a whole, the objectives are based on this mission statement. That requires the best candidates for residency and the provision of an atmosphere conducive to learning.

  • Basic Sciences: The curriculum will cover all the appropriate basic sciences over a two-year period, with faculty providing lectures. Basic science principles will be stressed in the clinical curriculum, and specific basic science goals for individual clinical topics will be identified in the syllabus.

  • Clinical Topics: The curriculum will cover all areas of clinical orthopaedics over a two-year period. Faculty will provide the majority of the lectures. For all lectures given by residents, the assigned faculty member, will review the outline with the resident prior to the presentation and will supervise the resident presentation and add commentary and explanation as needed.

  • Lifelong Learning: An environment supportive of the development of habits of regular review of the literature is essential. Residents and faculty will review journals every week. Critical analysis of the articles will be required during the journal club discussion, with particular emphasis on the contribution the articles make to the fund of knowledge.

  • Patient Care: Faculty will ensure that skilled, compassionate care is provided to all patients. Residents will be given progressive responsibility for the care of patients under the supervision of the faculty. Residents will provide care to assigned patients throughout the course of care, while on service.

  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Our curriculum and environment teach and stimulate the effective exchange of information among health care professionals and during the physician and patient interaction. Residents participate in the sharing of information during our various conferences. This promotes interaction with members from our own department, as well as with members from other departments. Two-way communication between faculty and residents during the clinical rotations will further expand residents’ communication skills in situations with patients, their families and other physicians.

  • Ethics: Faculty and residents will adhere to the Code and Principles of Ethics in all their dealings with patients, staff, colleagues and the public. Professionalism is expected and evaluated.

  • Systems-Based Practice: Residents are educated on the various resources our campus and community have to offer. They are taught to recognize and effectively respond to certain situations or conditions through referrals or other available methods.