Description

The rotation is primarily hospital-based, though the opportunity exists to see pediatric infectious diseases patients in the outpatient clinic.

Specific goals

1. Increase knowledge of the clinical and epidemiological findings associated with infectious diseases in infants, children and adolescents
2. Gain experience in diagnosing and managing infectious diseases
3. Review and gain experience in the use of antimicrobial agents and the role of antimicrobial stewardship
4. Correlate clinical infectious disease problems on the pediatric wards and intensive care units with microbiological findings in the laboratory
5. Apply basic immunology to the understanding of congenital and acquired abnormalities in the infected, compromised patient
6. Stimulate independent thinking and self-directed learning
7. Have opportunities to help solve problems in infectious diseases using the medical literature
8. Have opportunities to attend conferences, seminars and teaching rounds in microbiology and infectious diseases

Activity outline

Students are an integral part of the clinical team in pediatric infectious diseases. They have the opportunity to evaluate patients with suspected or proven infections, develop a differential diagnosis, and plan for laboratory tests and management. Students present patients to the staff consultant and follow up with patients on the hospital ward and in the outpatient clinic. Relevant journal articles are given to each student.

Clinical microbiology rounds provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with laboratory techniques used in diagnosing infections of bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic etiology. Other special teaching conferences and seminars also are available.

Method of evaluation

Student evaluation is based on overall clinical performance, attendance at conferences and teaching rounds, and the completion of reading assignments.

Per Mayo Clinic institutional policy, faculty and residents/fellows will not complete any outside evaluations. You will be provided with an electronic performance evaluation via Mayo Clinic’s MedHub portal. A final summative evaluation will be sent to you and your school official upon completion of your clerkship.