Description

This elective is designed to provide the medical student with an opportunity to focus on health issues specific to the health and prevention of disease in woman of all ages. This outpatient rotation will provide a medical perspective on the epidemiology of diseases presenting in women with special emphasis on the patient including heart disease, breast and colon cancer and osteoporosis. The prevention of these diseases as a function of hormone replacement therapy, calcium supplementation, nutrition and cholesterol management will be emphasized. Exposure to other health issues such as contraception, basic outpatient gynecology, musculoskeletal diseases and psychosocial issues. At completion of elective students will have heightened awareness of the etiology, symptoms and progress of diseases experienced by women.

Specific goals

1. To learn the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for diseases prevalent in women through direct patient contact.
2. Expand basic knowledge with reading materials provided and through attendance at appropriate conferences.
3. Focus knowledge on designated topic agreed with attendings through presentation of material at divisional conference.
4. Enhance awareness of disease conditions in women and gain knowledge of interactive skills with female patients.
5. Exposure to skills necessary for successful management of patient problems including clinic organization, phone services nutrition and educational services.
6. Learn triage skills, indications for hospitalization and referral for specialty consultation.
7. Exposure to the electronic medical record.

Activity outline

Students will attend clinic from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. each day. Reading time may occur during the day. Attendance at all conferences including Internal Medicine Grand Rounds is MANDATORY. Videotapes may be viewed in the library. There will be some exposure to mammography, the MCS breast clinic and bone mineral analysis will be available. There is no night call or weekend duty.

Method of evaluation

Students will be evaluated by attendings with a written evaluation which will represent a consensus opinion regarding basic skill level as reflected in fund of knowledge, history and physical examination, acquisition of new knowledge, performance in presentation and patient interaction. Completion of the reading list is considered fundamental.

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.