Biology begins medical internship program for undergraduates

Monday, October 12, 2009 – Ann Claycombe

Pre-medical students at Georgia State University have a new opportunity to get an unusual level of real-life experience, observing surgeries and going on rounds at the Atlanta Medical Center for course credit.

“They’re actually holding hearts, learning to suture – they’re getting their hands involved,” said Carmen Eilertson, the senior lecturer who is in charge of the course.

The Atlanta Medical Center is a teaching hospital affiliated with the Medical College of Georgia. The faculty traditionally works with medical students and residents. This is the hospital’s first program for undergraduates.

Each undergraduate in the course completes a rotation in a particular specialist department: trauma, family practice, orthopedics, general surgery, and as of next semester pharmacology. The students observe surgeries and post-surgery care, and engage in regular round-table discussions with doctors and medical students.

The course requires students to spend 10 hours a week at the hospital, Eilertson said, but most are spending far more.

“They’re just super-excited,” she said.

Next semester, Georgia State and the Atlanta Medical Center will add a surgical anatomy class to the program. Students will dissect human cadavers, and will learn about common and interesting medical procedures from visiting surgeons.

In the meantime, the first six students to do internships are already beginning to prepare for their final test – an oral exam administered by the doctors they’ve been working with.

“A lot of our pre-med majors shadow doctors anyway,” Eilertson said, “but this is so hands-on. They’re really treated more like medical students.”