M2 Sequence Overview
Musculoskeletal
Sequence Director

Seetha Monrad, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine
Email: seethe@umich.edu
Sequence Description

Knowledge
The student will learn about:

  1. The pathology/pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of musculoskeletal conditions due to degenerative, inflammatory/autoimmune, metabolic, traumatic, and infectious causes
  2. A diagnostic approach and initial treatment plan for the above
  3. Commonly used medications used in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and autoimmune/inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases
  4. Congenital, development, and childhood musculoskeletal disorders
  5. The spectrum of disorders managed by specialties associated with musculoskeletal medicine (Rheumatology, Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
  6. Commonly ordered laboratories and imaging studies ordered in the evaluation/management of musculoskeletal disorders
  7. How autoimmunity develops and results in rheumatologic disease
Skills
  1. The student will receive foundational learning preparatory to demonstrating competence in physical exam skills:
    1. Learn how to perform a complete exam of the musculoskeletal system, and have several opportunities to practice the exam
    2. Learn how to perform specific maneuvers useful in diagnosing musculoskeletal pathology
    3. Learn how to perform a musculoskeletal exam on patients with arthritis, taking into account pain and restricted motion
    4. Learn how to perform a musculoskeletal exam on children
  2. Clinical Problem Solving: Students will utilize rheumatology case vignettes to generate broad based differentials and analyze laboratory data
Attitudes
Students will gain appreciation of:
  1. The frequent occurrence of musculoskeletal conditions across all age groups
  2. The physical, psychological, financial, and other quality-of-life consequences of living with a chronic musculoskeletal condition
  3. The interdisciplinary nature of care of patients with chronic musculoskeletal/autoimmune diseases
  4. The impact of childhood musculoskeletal disease on psychosocial development
For academic year 2011-2012, the sequence was renamed to Musculoskeletal/Rheumatology. This change was to promote the existing longitudinal curricular thread which builds from the immunological concepts introduced in M1 Immunology and then revisited with rheumatologic concepts during M2 Musculoskeletal, and to make this connection more explicit to students.
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