MEL 8953: Integrative Clinical Skills

Drs. Cuc Mai, Erika Abel, Stephanie Pezzo, Candice Mateja, Peter Chang

This elective offers the fourth year medical student a review of pertinent skills for a smoother transition to internship. The course will predominantly consist of case based conferences which will be a review such topics as writing orders, common overnight call issues, common procedures, reading EKG, CXR, and ABGs, electrolyte abnormalities, ACLS protocol, the role of the resident as an educator and evaluator, tips for improving patient and family communication, review of advance directives and the utilization of other resources. Students will be required to shadow the cross cover resident during the work week twice during the month. Attendance to various internal medicine conferences (morning report and noon conference) is optional.

Objectives

1. Diagnose and treat common overnight call issues
2. Practice and learn common bedside medical procedures
3. Improve teaching skills to be a better educator
4. Improve communication skills specifically delivering bad news
5. Familiarize yourself with ancillary medical services in the hospital/community and how these services can improve patient care
6. Learn skills to improve balancing the rigors of residency with personal/social endeavors

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the month, students should feel more comfortable with the skills that will make their transition to residency smoother and to maximize the learning environment in residency.

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on attendance, participation in case based conferences, involvement in cross cover calls, and an end of the month presentation.