Students at Indiana University School of Medicine are exposed to the field of anesthesia in their third year of training through the anesthesia core clerkship. Fourth-year students who are interested in the field can pursue additional elective rotations.
Anesthesia Required Clinical Course (third year/Phase 2)
The third-year core clerkship in anesthesia helps MD students understand basic management of the perioperative patient. Clinical learning occurs in the operating room as students participate in the anesthetic care of patients. Guided self-learning occurs through a series of digital learning modules. Technical skills are acquired under the supervision of department faculty and residents during the rotation.
Anesthesia Elective (fourth year/Phase 3)
The Department of Anesthesia offers electives for fourth-year medical students which cover all aspects of anesthesiology. One-month and two-week rotations are available in the areas of adult, pediatric, acute and chronic pain management. During the elective rotation, each student has the opportunity to attend core curriculum lectures and SIM sessions.
Specific topic areas that medical students may experience during a fourth-year rotation include preoperative evaluation and preparation, airway management, management of patients on ventilators, interpretation of blood gases, application of invasive monitoring techniques (including systemic and pulmonary artery catheters) and techniques for postoperative pain management.
Students considering post-graduate training in anesthesiology are encouraged to take elective rotations in the first six months of the year. Visiting students may also take an anesthesia elective.
