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| General Information FAQ |
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- When do you recommend that a medical student attend the rotation?
- Should I schedule my rotation so that I can be there for a launch?
- How long is the rotation?
- Will I get to see the orbiter?
- Will I get to meet an astronaut?
- Will my Institution accept this as a certified elective?
- Do I have to be in medical school to attend?
- What do the lectures consist of?
- What type of patient cases would be seen at the clinic?
- Will I be bored?
- What should I study before I attend the rotation?
- What is expected of me during the rotation?
When do you recommend that a medical student attend the rotation?
US students - We recommend that you plan on performing a rotation towards the end of your third year or in your fourth year of medical school.International students - Some of the medical school programs are set up very differently. We recommend that you plan on attending in your final year of study.
Should I schedule my rotation so that I can be there for a launch?
No. The Shuttle launch schedule is very dynamic, so that even if you scheduled your rotation during a month where a launch were to occur by the time your rotation came up the launch date will probably have changed. We offer rotations 11 months out of the year. Regrettably if we only have 6 launches in a given year there is a possibility that you will not be here during a launch. Although the opportunity to get more practical experience occurs during a launch month, the ability to learn is just as high if there is no launch. We would like everyone to also keep in mind it is a rare privilege to be able to attend a rotation here and have the opportunities to learn in this environment.We are fortunate to have several types of unmanned rockets launched every few months from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. You may be able to see one of these rocket launches if not a shuttle.
How long is the rotation?
The rotations are the standard 4 weeks in length. Some clerks have asked if they can stay longer. This has rarely happened. Advanced approval must be received and will only be given based on the type of project/research being conducted, especially if that project will take longer than 4 weeks to complete.Will I get to see the orbiter?
There is a possibility that during one of the tours that are set up that you will be able to see the orbiter. How close you get to the orbiter is an unpredicted variable. If you get to see the orbiter you will probably not have the opportunity to enter the inside. If this rare occurrence happens then you have been very lucky.Will I get to meet an astronaut?
None of our students are permitted any one-on-one contact with an astronaut especially if they getting ready for a mission. The best way to meet an astronaut is during a crew return presentation. Usually one month after a shuttle mission, the crew from that mission will return to KSC to thank the people who made their launch possible. After their presentation, there may be time to get an autograph.Will my Institution accept this as a certified elective?
Your university should accept this rotation as one of your elective courses. Several of our staff are on boards or are adjunct professors for several universities. We comply with your University/College/School's requests, as well as complete and return evaluation forms provided by your institutionDo I have to be in medical school to attend?
Yes, you must be an active medical school student. This is mostly due to liability issues and how responsibility for you or a patient is assumed. If you are a resident, please see web page for Residents.What do the lectures consist of?
The lecture topics include: aerospace physiology (respiratory, cardiovascular, bone, nervous system), aerospace hazards (toxicology, decompression, radiation), human factors, and clinical aerospace medicine (emergency support, shuttle dynamics).What type of patient cases would be seen at the clinic?
The clinic performs routine physicals for various job classifications as well as the treatment of occupational injuries and emergency events. Therefore, the types of cases will vary. The average age of the patient seen in the clinic is 42.Will I be bored?
Most participants tell us that this elective is not as fast paced and hectic as most clinical's that they have had in the past but they enjoy the slower pace and the opportunity to learn. There is a lot to do and see while you are here and being bored is low on the list. There are times when you will not have anything scheduled. This is when you will have an opportunity to work on your project, read and take the initiative to seek out your own possibilities.What should I study before I attend the rotation?
Some gung ho, very motivated clerks like to brush up and study what they can before they attend their rotation. We recommend having a general understanding of the orbiter and it's systems, especially acronyms. If you have time and really want to go further, there are quite a few resources listed under the KSC and Aerospace related web page section.There are two textbooks you could browse which will be available to you during your rotation:
- Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine, 2nd Edition, by Dehart
ISBN: 0-683-02396-9 - Space Physiology and Medicine, 3rd Edition, by Nicogossian
ISBN: 0-8121-1595-3
What is expected of me during the rotation?
You will be expected to be prompt, attentive, professional, cooperative, and responsible. Remember you are representing your individual institution. |
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Editor: Cathy Dibiase NASA Official: Phil Scarpa, MD Last Updated: May 11, 2005 |
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