Medical Clerkship

Describe and define:

1. The basic disease processes commonly seen in Internal Medicine patients as included in the following diagnostic groups: cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematology/oncology, rheumatology, neurology, general medicine (see Master Data Collection Key for details on diagnostic groups).  (A3)*
2. The pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases.  (A3)
3. Key sources for obtaining current information on issues relevant to the medical management of adult patients.  (A2)
4. The basic aspects of the health care delivery system (inpatient vs outpatient care; acute vs long-term care; Medicare, Medicaid, and other methods of payment). (A4)
5. Bioethics of care to include informed consent and advance directives.  (C2)
6. The role of behavior (e.g. smoking, drug use) and social systems (e.g. family dynamics, religious practices) on health and disease, and the scientific ways of effecting change in potentially deleterious health practices. (A5, D2)

Demonstrate the ability to:

1.  Perform and accurately record a complete history and physical examination on an ambulatory and/or hospitalized patient. (B1, B2)
2. Perform a focused history and physical examination during a 15 minute ambulatory visit and accurately record the history, pertinent physical findings, assessment with differential diagnosis, and plan for therapy and/or further evaluation. (B1, B2)
3. Communicate effectively with both colleagues and patients to include discussing with the patient (and family as appropriate) ongoing health care needs, using appropriate language and avoiding jargon and medical terminology. (B1)
4. Construct a problem list with an appropriate differential diagnosis for each diagnostic problem using the data collected in the history and physical examination and with a plan to evaluate and treat each problem. (A3, B3, C1)
5. Maintain adequate written records (i.e. SOAP notes) on the progress of illnesses of each assigned patient. (B1)
6. Interpret an arterial blood gas, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, and urinalysis. (B5)
7. Perform a computerized literature search to find the best evidence for making decisions about the care of individual patients. (A2)
8. Assist with and understand the indications for basic procedures (thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar puncture, central venous access) commonly performed on the internal medicine wards. Competence or expertise in performing these procedures is not expected. (B6)
9. Assess the limits of medical knowledge in relation to patient problems. (A1, A2)

Demonstrate professional attitudes in their approach to the care of patients by:

1. Use of a non-judgmental and patient-centered manner, showing concern for the patient and the patient’s family, and assuming responsibility for the care of the patient in keeping with their level of experience and training.  (C4, C5, D1)
2. Ongoing efforts to improve clinical knowledge and skills through effective use of available learning resources and life-long self-directed learning.  (B4, D3)
3. Upholding professional standards of attitude and behavior toward peers, other members of the health care team, family members.  (A4, A5, D2)
4. Emphasizing truth-telling, ethical behavior, and respect for diversity in all encounters in the health care arena. (A4, C3)