Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship Information

The orthopedic trauma fellowship at San Francisco General Hospital and University of California, San Francisco is designed to give the fellow broad training in the management of patients with orthopedic traumatic injuries and reconstruction. Each fellow has many opportunities to care for the multiply injured patient with specifical focus on orthopedic injuries. The fellow is involved with all types of procedures, including emergent, elective, and reconstructive procedures of the orthopedic trauma patient. The fellow receives both instructional and practical teaching to achieve competency in developing diagnostic, procedural, technical, and interventional skills essential for the performance of orthopedic traumatology. Additionally, the fellow has the opportunity and is required to be involved in orthopedic trauma related research projects. This is supported by an in-house biomechanics and molecular biology laboratory. The orthopedic trauma fellow will have a superior clinical experience during the 12 month fellowship. There is a hands-on experience, as well as understanding and appreciation of a team approach to the care of the trauma patient with musculoskeletal injuries.

The completion of this fellowship requires the fellow to achieve competency in patient care, medical knowledge, practice based learning, and interpersonal and communication skills related to the trauma patient. The orthopedic fellow is the most senior house officer and is responsible for all patient care on his team. Since the service is chief resident, fellow, and attending directed, they are always backed up by the attending. The fellow is expected to instruct the residents through articles, lectures, and practical experience in the operating rooms and clinics.