What Residents Learn

Operational aerospace medicine is not surgery; in this sense, the phrase is used to refer to field medicine. It occurs where the aviator/crewmember functions. Aerospace medicine physicians medically certify their crew for duty, accompany them to and monitor training exercises, support them during the mission (launch, in-flight, landing), and support the crew post-flight during rehabilitation, etc. Aerospace medicine residents learn the full scope of this care through operational aerospace medicine rotations with NASA and commercial space companies.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A critical component of aerospace medicine is prevention. Our residents learn preventive medicine strategies as well as risk assessment, and risk mitigation for operational aerospace medicine. Our Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine introduces these critical concepts in the classroom with renowned lecturers who developed risk management policy in aerospace medicine. Residents then gain real-world exposure with these concepts during rotations.

Our residents train directly with leaders in aerospace medicine at NASA and commercial space companies. They are involved with all aspects of the mission during their integrated training.

The human body is well suited to live in the perfect, protective environment of the lower troposphere. When humans push the boundaries of this protective environment into higher altitudes, alternobaric environments, temperature extremes, remote/austere or isolated/confined locations, a host of physiologic changes and adaptive processes occur. Aerospace medicine physicians must be well-versed in these physiologic changes and strategies for supporting human health and performance in these extreme environments. Residents learn this through extensive classroom training during the Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine and then apply their knowledge directly during rotations.

Our residents receive a breadth of training for aeromedical certification. Residents become Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) designees of the Federal Aviation Administration and then build upon these skills during their aviation medicine rotations with senior AMEs. Residents additionally train extensively in medical certification for NASA, commercial space companies, the Department of Defense, and other remote/austere environments. This knowledge is exercised when assisting in certification during rotations.

Our residents receive fundamental training for considerations related to extra-vehicular activities (EVA). They have the opportunity to directly support training for EVA. Further, our residents are integrated into work to define new alternobaric environments for exploration spaceflight.

Our residents receive training both in the classroom and in rotations about environmental control and life support systems and associated protective equipment. A hands-on learning environment is emphasized.

Orbital mechanics and dynamics are important concepts for aerospace medicine physicians to understand to successfully support the mission and their crew. These concepts are taught to residents during the Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine.

Regulations and policy governing aviation and spaceflight operations, as well as mishap response are of critical importance for the Aerospace Medicine physician. Our residents receive this training in the classroom during the Master of Science in Aerospace Medicine  where they learn from renowned faculty and guest lecturers. Residents have opportunities to rotate at headquarters of governmental agencies as well as commercial entities where they can participate in policy development.

Aviators and astronauts are exposed to both hyper- and hypobaric environments in their training and missions. Residents learn the risks of these hazardous environments and how to keep the crew safe during these exposures through formal classroom learning and during rotations with governmental and commercial agencies.

Aviators and spacefarers are exposed to increased levels of radiation. Outside the protective Van Allen Belts of low Earth orbit, the exposure increases. Environmental monitoring of space radiation is an important part of keeping crew safe in space. Residents learn the risk of radiation exposure, monitoring techniques, mitigation techniques, and have an opportunity to rotate with radiation specialists.

Aerospace medicine necessitates telemedicine to care for crew in the air and space. Our residents receive radio and console training and participate in telemedicine encounters with crew.

Acute medical issues can arise at any time during the mission. Our residents are trained in how to respond to acute issues in aviation and spaceflight and integrated in this care when possible.

Our residents have the opportunity to learn directly from experts who manage longitudinal occupational surveillance for astronauts.

All residents complete a mishap investigation course in which they learn the core concepts of reviewing the scene of an accident, human factors associated with mishaps, and compilation of the final report.

All residents learn the physics and aeromedical considerations of flight both in the classroom and through practical experience - flying an aircraft!