MEL 8575: Pediatric Intensive Care Elective LVHN 15-16

The PICU is a multidisciplinary unit providing acute care for pediatric patients with a wide variety of medical and surgical problems. The goals and objectives for this elective are intentionally broad to allow for a learning experience in meeting the student’s individual needs. Students will learn to utilize a physiologic-based organ system derived approach to patient problems. Integration of multiple healthcare providers is emphasized. Students are given the responsibility for patient care under the direct supervision of the PICU resident or attending faculty. Educational goals will be met through discussions on teaching rounds, didactic presentations on aspects of pediatric critical care medicine, and self-directed study on individual patients.

In addition to the learning opportunities provided by hands-on patient care, the educational experience is supplemented by a didactic lecture series for medical students, biweekly morning report case conference and weekly Pediatrics Grand Rounds.  Medical students will be on call overnight on an average of once weekly during the rotation.

Objectives

1. The student will learn to utilize physical exam skills, laboratory data, and radiographic data to assess the physiologic stablity and severity of illness in pediatric ICU patients.
2. The student will learn to incorporate accumulated data with critical thinking skills to both assess a patient’s condition and institute a treatment plan.
3. The student will learn to appreciate the utility and usefulness of both invasive and non-invasive physiologic monitoring and support.

Evaluation

Final evaluations will be based on the guidelines presented on the  evaluation form and the degree to which the student has met his/her stated objectives.