•Observed an orthopedic surgeon for over 200 hours to gain experience in a health care office setting.•Learned about specific tests, diagnosis, and treatments for a variety of knee and hip orthopedic conditions.•Developed skills such as patient care and communication, reading patient records, scheduling and follow up through direct clinical experience.

•Observed an orthopedic surgeon for over 200 hours to gain experience in a health care office setting.•Learned about specific tests, diagnosis, and treatments for a variety of knee and hip orthopedic conditions.•Developed skills such as patient care and communication, reading patient records, scheduling and follow up through direct clinical experience.

•Observed an orthopedic surgeon for over 200 hours to gain experience in a health care office setting.•Learned about specific tests, diagnosis, and treatments for a variety of knee and hip orthopedic conditions.•Developed skills such as patient care and communication, reading patient records, scheduling and follow up through direct clinical experience.

•Observed an orthopedic surgeon for over 200 hours to gain experience in a health care office setting.•Learned about specific tests, diagnosis, and treatments for a variety of foot and ankle orthopedic conditions.•Developed skills such as patient care and communication, reading patient records, scheduling and follow up through direct clinical experience.