OrthoSCORER

Student Curriculum for Orthopedic Resident Education Readiness

Purpose

The transition from medical school to orthopedic residency is both exciting and demanding. OrthoSCORER, a structured 4-week online curriculum, aims to prepare medical students with the core knowledge and skills needed to excel as residency applicants, and hopefully soon as orthopedic surgery residents.

Materials & Methods

The course utilizes a blend of modern study resources, including public online videos, orthopedic journal articles, interactive exercises, and live webinars. Grounded in the science of learning, OrthoSCORER emphasizes a multimodal evidence-informed approach to preparation and education. 

Results

One of our core philosophies is a commitment to continuous improvement. We actively collect and analyze feedback from participants through surveys and performance assessments. This approach of dedication to iterative improvement allows us to refine course content, teaching methods, and resources, to better meet the evolving needs of students.

Discussion

A Slack community facilitates real-time interaction and collaboration among students, with dedicated spaces for discussions, Q&A, and peer support. Access to the OrthoSCORER Dedicated Student Group is available upon request.

Future Studies

Participants are encouraged to contribute to the platform's development through educational projects, curriculum enhancements, and leadership roles. These opportunities deepen the learning experience and offer valuable professional growth.

Course Overview

OrthoSCORER is structured to fit seamlessly into busy schedules, requiring only 45-60 minutes throughout the day from Monday to Friday over four weeks. The curriculum balances high-yield orthopedic education with professional skill development, ensuring students are well-prepared for the next step in their medical careers.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand fundamental orthopedic principles and apply them to clinical scenarios.

  • Recognize the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of soft tissues, bones, and joints.

  • Begin to develop surgical reasoning and become familiar with common orthopedic procedures.

  • Implement strategies for wellness and work-life balance during residency.

Course Structure

  • Duration: 4 weeks

  • Schedule: Monday to Friday, 45–60 minutes

  • Weekly Themes:

    • Week 1: OrthoBASICS – Learn the basics, from bench science to bone surgery

    • Week 2: OrthoBONES – Short bones, long bones, flat bones, strong bones

    • Week 3: OrthoJOINTS – Repair, reconstruct, remember

    • Week 4: OrthoCAREERS – From diligent preparation to confident presentation and purposeful progression

Slack group is open for enrollment now, and may be joined by clicking HERE. Course content to be officially launched Spring ‘25. For all other questions and inquiries, please reach out through our contact page.

We look forward to learning with you soon.

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Meet your instructors

Meet your instructors ✳

PGY-3

AC

With 6 years of commitment to medication education thus far, I now split my professional time between two primary goals: (1) becoming the best orthopedic surgeon I can be for my future patients, and (2) striving to play my part in improving medical education. As a current orthopedic surgery resident, my passion for the latter has taken form in a few ways, and this course is just one of them. I remain forever open to any feedback or suggestions for improvement, so please do not hesitate to reach out if we can make this page better in any way.

Course FAQ

  • The OrthoSCORER course is completely free of charge. We are dedicated to making high-quality orthopedic education accessible to all medical students preparing for residency. There are no fees or hidden costs associated with enrolling in the course, accessing the materials, participating in the Slack community, or utilizing any of the provided resources.

  • The OrthoSCORER course is designed to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. You will need to dedicate approximately 45-60 minutes each day from Monday to Friday over a four-week period. This amounts to about 5 hours per week. The course materials are accessible online, allowing you to engage with the content at your convenience, whether in the evening or at another time that suits you.

  • No prior orthopedic-specific knowledge is required to enroll in OrthoSCORER. The course is structured to start with foundational concepts in Week 1: OrthoBASICS, progressively building up to more advanced topics in subsequent weeks. It is suitable for all medical students interested in preparing for orthopedic residency, regardless of their previous exposure to orthopedics.

  • All course materials are accessible online through our dedicated learning platform. The platform is user-friendly and compatible with both desktop and mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets. This flexibility allows you to access video lectures, interactive assignments, and resources anytime and anywhere, fitting your study around clinical rotations and personal commitments.

  • Yes, interaction is a key component of the OrthoSCORER experience. We encourage you to join the OrthoSCORER Community Slack Group, where you can connect with peers, ask questions, and engage in discussions. Instructors are available via email and Slack to provide support, answer queries, and offer personalized feedback on assignments, including your CV and personal statement drafts.