The Department of Anesthesiology provides a required two-week clinical anesthesiology rotation that is incorporated in the surgical clerkship. The rotation is an introduction to clinical operating room anesthesiology with special emphasis on airway management in the unconscious patient. Students are given strictly supervised, hands-on training in airway management to the extent possible based on the availability of clinical material.

Introduction to this rotation begins with students viewing videotape that states the objectives of the rotation and introduces commonly used anesthesia equipment, including monitors, anesthesia machines, ventilators, and infusion pumps. A manual of selected readings is included in the introductory presentation.

The rotation also includes lectures on preanesthetic patient examination and treatment. Other lectures on appropriate topics are presented in an informal format. Additionally, students are encouraged to attend departmental educational seminars, case presentations, and journal club sessions held each Wednesday morning.

Elective Clerkship in Anesthesiology
The elective clerkship offers insight into the broad specialty of anesthesiology and provides for additional hands-on experience in the practical aspects of anesthesiology-related patient care, i.e., cannulation of peripheral veins, bag and mask ventilation of unconscious patients, arterial cannulation, the monitoring of patients, and evaluation of postanesthetic complications. Electives are available for two- or four-week durations on an individual basis.