Wilderness Medical
Society
2150 E 1300 S, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 990-2988
(801) 990-2987 (FAX)
Send us an email!
The Wilderness Medical Society and the Academy of Wilderness Medicine present:
2010 Elective in Wilderness Medicine
The Wilderness Medical Society, and the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, in association with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) offer:
"A Standard in Wilderness Medicine Education"
Designed for 3rd and 4th year medical students, residents, and allied health profession students from accredited schools, this elective provides four weeks of instruction including:
Small group discussions of wilderness scenarios
Formal lectures of Wilderness Medicine principles and specific topics
by leaders in the field
Field and hands-on instruction in survival and pre-hospital patient
assessment and evacuation
Supervised five-day field-practicum incorporating medical assessment,
treatment, evacuation, survival and improvisational techniques.
48 hour Wilderness First Responder Course
Eligibility to sit for the Wilderness First Responder National
Registry Examination (as applicable in home state)
All this and more in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of
Tennessee!
Educational Objectives:
Act as a medical group leader in backcountry or other remote
settings
Advise a wilderness travel group concerning care and evacuation of
ill or injured members
Plan for the medical support of wilderness and adventure travel
experiences
Manage common illnesses and injuries in an austere environment with
limited resources
Understand the physicians role in search and rescue
Identify and plan for special hazards in a variety of extreme
environments
Demonstrate basic competence in exotic travel and wilderness survival
skills
Credits:
The curriculum is structured to be academically demanding. It
was developed by a review committee of nationally recognized faculty
from the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). This curriculum has been
reviewed by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
(USUHS). Each participant must query their own institution IN ADVANCE as to whether the
elective, deemed credit-worthy by USUHS, will be accepted by their home
institution.
Curriculum:
The curriculum consists of five units:
Introduction to Wilderness Medicine
The Human Condition in the Wilderness
Special Topics in Wilderness Medicine
Human-Wilderness Harmony
Wilderness First Responder Course
Grading:
The Grading system is Pass/Fail based upon a written, multiple-choice final examination grade of no less than 70%, a pass of the practical field exam, and completion of the 5-day Great Smoky Mountain practicum (hike). WFR course examinations are administered separately by Roane State Community College faculty in accordance with established guidelines.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have
camping/backpacking skills and equipment and should be in sufficient
physical condition and health to complete a 5-day overnight field
experience with a trek through the mountains (elevation under 8,000 ft)
as a requirement for successful completion of the elective.
3rd and 4th year medical students, residents, and allied
health profession students from accredited schools.
All US and international medical students in their 3rd or 4th year
(senior years) of medical school, residents, and students in allied
health professional schools (PA and Nursing) during the time of the
elective (February 2010) may apply.
Application:
Updated applications and course materials are available for
download and printing for the 2010 course below.
Application Specifics:
Tuition: $1050 (US$) per student due upon acceptance to
elective
All applications must be accompanied by a $250 (US$) deposit
Applicants not accepted will be completely refunded
Applicants are expected to provide their own equipment necessary for
the field practicum
Deadlines for applications to 2010 class:
No applications accepted BEFORE
1 June 2009
Deadline for applications is 1 August 2009
WMS is a non-profit educational organization and tuition represents
'break even cost' for room, board, supplies, and faculty expenses only.
If you represent an organization or individual willing to make a
donation to help defray the cost of the course for students, please
contact our Course Director.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION AND INFORMATION HERE:
An announcement letter can be found here.
Dean's and Administrator's letter of explanation can be found here.
A high quality color poster for display or publication can be found
in PDF format here (TBA).
Selection Criteria:
Demonstrated interest in the field, intent to
disseminate/further acquired knowledge in future career pursuits,
outdoor and wilderness experience, and an ability to work well in group
settings.
Diversity is encouraged without sacrificing applicant quality.
Space available for 28 students with only
the first 100 applications received considered.
Location:
Camp Wesley Woods-Near Townsend, located in eastern Tennessee
adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Camp Wesley Woods
is a 700 acre wooded camp with trails, climbing walls, ropes course,
pond, dormitory cabins and dining facilities.
Camp has easy access from Interstates 40 and 75. Transportation
provided between camp and Knoxville, airport, and surrounding
communities as needed.
Full meals included Monday through Fridays. Male and female lodging via
dorm style rooms with 4-6 bunk beds. All sleeping facilities included
with communal room, separated bathing facilities, and kitchenette.
Questions:
Contact the Course Directors, Christian Sloane, MD and Thomas Kessler, MD at csloane@ucsd.edu or tkphs@yahoo.com if you have any questions at any time.
Volunteer:
Professionals with academic affiliations interested in
volunteering as WMS faculty are asked to contact the course directors.
Last updated 05/28/09