Trauma Fellowship

Number of Positions: 2 per year
Duration: 2 years clinical + research
Site: Ganga Hospital, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore

Supervisors:

Dr. S. Rajasekharan
Dr. J. Dheenadhayalan
Dr. Ajoy Prasad Shetty
Dr. S.R. Sundararajan

The Trauma Fellowship Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, offers Clinical Fellowships to graduates of accredited Residency Programs to pursue further subspecialty training in complex trauma surgery. Fellows are expected to be involved in all aspects of patient care. Trauma fellows will be exposed to a broad scope of adult and paediatric trauma encompassing polytrauma, neurovascular trauma and complex limb reconstruction. The Ganga Hospital is a designated Trauma Care centre and fellows will gain exposure to approximately 3500 trauma cases per year. Up to two fellows per year are accepted and are supervised by four trained academic trauma surgeons. The fellowship is open to Orthopaedic trainees.

Fellowship Objectives:
At the completion of this Fellowship, the trainee will be able to:

Clinical Skills :
Demonstrate the ability to take a relevant history;
Perform a complete musculoskeletal and neurological examination of the patient;
Arrive at an appropriate differential diagnosis
Order and interpret appropriate laboratory, radiological and other diagnostic procedures;
Produce an acceptable management plan;
Manage and perform resuscitative measures according to ATLS protocols;
Display knowledge of and competence in treating surgical and medical complications;
Provide a plan for patient follow-up.

Technical Skills :
Exhibit proficiency in non-operative management of trauma;
Demonstrate technical competence in surgical management of trauma including minimally invasive fixation, intramedullary nailing and pelvic fixation;

Cognitive Knowledge :

Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the incidence, etiology, pathophysiology, natural history, diagnosis, investigation, management, prognosis, and complications of various orthopedic injuries;
Participate in clinical orthopaedic research;
Exhibit skills in the critical appraisal of scientific literature specifically in the design, methodology and evaluation of clinical studies.

Length of the Fellowship:
The Fellowship Program is usually of twelve months duration.

Patient Care Duties:
Fellows are expected to be in attendance at surgery to assist the Surgeon. Fellows are to attend the Surgeon's Outpatient Clinics and the Trauma and General Orthopedic Clinics. Outpatient clinics may also include spinal fracture clinics.

The Fellows are expected to provide backup and be a resource to the surgical residents-in-training in the management of in-patient consultations and peri-operative patient care.

Trauma Rounds:
Trauma rounds are held on a daily basis and Fellow participation and attendance in case/topic presentations is expected. In addition, the Fellow is encouraged to assist in the preparation of the monthly meetings of the Coimbatore Orthopedic Association spine interest group and of any academic conferences.

Teaching:
Fellows participate in educational endeavours - they are expected to participate in the teaching activities for residents and allied health professionals.

Research:
As part of their program, Fellows will participate actively in research and academic activities. Research opportunities exist in biomechanics, basic science, Epidemiology, and clinical studies.