Pediatrics

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Obstetrics and Gynecology
Psychiatry

CORE CLERKSHIP

MISSION AND INTRODUCTION

The clerkship in pediatrics provides a learning experience that fosters the highest standards of professional behavior based on principals of bioethics. It will provide students with a clinical experience that prepares them to communicate effectively with patients and families and learn to evaluate and manage children from newborn through adolescence.

The clerkship integrates a foundation of medical knowledge with clinical and communication skills to enable the student to identify and provide quality pediatric care.

After completion of a six week core rotation during the third year, students will demonstrate a firm understanding of the competencies required to evaluate and provide care for children who are sick and well. 

The six-week core clerkship allows students to gain clinical experience in evaluating newborns, infants, children and adolescents, both sick and well, through clinical history taking, physical examination and the evaluation of laboratory data.  Special emphasis is placed on:  growth and development, nutrition, disorders of fluid and electrolytes, common infections, social issues, and preventative care including: immunizations, screening procedures, anticipatory guidance. The student will develop the necessary communication skills to inform, guide and educate patients and families.

Pediatric ambulatory and in-patient services provide an opportunity to observe and enter into the care of pediatric medical and surgical disorders.   The student will learn how to approach the patient and family and communicate effectively as they take admission histories and perform physical examinations.  They will then provide the patient and parents with the necessary information and guidance to understand and support the child through the time of illness. The student will learn age specific skills regarding interviewing pediatric patients and relating to their parents, and will develop the skills necessary to examine children from newborn through adolescence utilizing age appropriate techniques.  The adequacy and accuracy of the students’ knowledge, communication skills, manual skills and professional behavior will be measured and evaluated by their supervising physicians, residents and preceptors. There will be formative evaluations and discussion of the students’ progress throughout the rotation with emphasis on a formal mid-core and end-core assessment.

It is expected that there be full and active participation in the multiple learning opportunities: didactic learning, clinical seminars, self-directed learning modules, patient rounds, conferences. Preceptor sessions are mandatory and take precedence over all other clinical activities.  Students should excuse themselves from their other assignments and attend their preceptor session, unless excused by their preceptor. All of these components are designed to expand the student’s concept of how to provide quality care for pediatric patients. 

In the out-patient services, the student learns the milestones of growth and development, infant feeding, child nutrition, preventative care (including immunization, screening procedures, and anticipatory guidance), the common ailments of childhood and diagnosis of rare and unusual illnesses. In the pediatric sub-specialty clinics, the student will observe the progression and participate in the management of a wide variety of serious and chronic pediatric illnesses.

Emergency department and urgent care experiences permit the student to be the first to evaluate infants and children with acute illnesses. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of febrile illnesses, and common emergencies of childhood (e.g. poisonings, injuries).

The initial management of the newborn is learned in the delivery room. Students then practice the examination of the newborn and learn about the initiation of feeding, neonatal physiological changes, and common newborn conditions.  In the newborn intensive care unit, the student is an observer of the management of the premature and term infant with serious illness.  Emphasis is placed on observing and understanding the role of the pediatrician in the multidisciplinary team approach to critical care.

These experiences are designed to provide maximum contact between students and patients and their families. The student should use every opportunity to practice communication skills, improve their ability to perform accurate and concise histories, perform physical examinations, expand their knowledge of pediatric diseases, and attain skills in utilizing laboratory and radiologic evaluations most effectively.

GUIDELINES

  1. Length:  minimum of six weeks.
  2. Sites:  general pediatric unit, ambulatory care unit,  pediatric emergency  department,  nursery,   NICU, PICU, private office practice, additional sites, as available.
  3. At the start of the clerkship an orientation is given.  The SGU clerkship  director or  designee     discusses the program’s  goals and objectives,  the responsibilities  of  the clerk,  the schedule  and  assignments to preceptors and residents.  The student  is introduced  to the key  preceptors and staff members in the department.
  4. The student must participate in the night, weekend, and holiday on-call schedules. The clerkship director will set the number and timing of calls. 
  5. The student must attend scheduled clinical conferences, grand rounds,  subspecialty conferences, and learning sessions. Approximately 30% of the clerkship should be allocated to  protected  academic time   for teaching conferences and structured independent study.
  6. A preceptor meets with students at least twice a week  for a minimum of  three hours  per week.   The preceptor sessions will include clinical  discussions that  focus   on problem solving,  decision  making and adherence to bioethical principals.
  7. The student is involved in all patient care activities in the out-patient facility and inpatient unit.  
  8. The student  will be  observed,  and  given  immediate  feedback,  as  they  take  a  history  and perform a physical examination on a newborn and a child.
  9. As an   absolute minimum,   each student   should examine   five term   newborns. This includes  reviewing the maternal medical record,  performing a  physical examination  on the infant,  and talking with the parent about basic care of the newborn and anticipatory guidance.
    1. Pediatric students have required clinical experiences that must be entered into the Patient encounter log. There is an additional requirement that  medical students learn how to identify and report child abuse/neglect.  There should be involvement in a case where a child is suspected as being the victim of child abuse/neglect or where the differential diagnosis includes child abuse/neglect. If such a case does not present itself, a virtual case may be used. There should be a discussion of the recognition and reporting requirement and the child protection response and services.
    2. Involvement in these cases should include taking a history, performing a physical examination,  discussing the differential diagnosis, formulating a plan for laboratory/radiologic studies  and  deciding  on a treatment plan. These cases may be from the inpatient units,  the nursery,  the  Emergency Room, or the out-patient setting.
    3. Depending on circumstances, participation may be limited to that as an observer,  especially  in  cases of sexual abuse, or the use of a virtual case.
    4. As  an absolute minimum, each student will participate in the care of two adolescents. This includes taking a history and performing a physical examination as well  as  reviewing  the immunization record and assessing the adolescent’s health, behavior, educational and environmental issues.  It is  preferable  that one of  the two adolescents described will have a chronic illness.
  10. The student will   give at a   minimum,   one  major   presentation   during  the  rotation. The presentation will be evaluated by the preceptor.
  11. A minimum of four complete clinical write-ups is required per student. These write-ups will be critiqued  by the preceptor and   returned to   the student  in a timely manner. It  is preferable that the patients selected for these   write-ups be examples of  the case mix listed in guideline#9 above.  The write-ups   will be handed   in at intervals   during the   rotation   and   returned  promptly so that the student can improve their written expression.
  12. The student  will   keep a Patient Encounter   Log. The log   will list all   of the patients   that the student has had direct contact with. The log should reflect a  commitment to  accurate  record keeping and reflect knowledge of the case.
  13. Each student will have a formative mid-core evaluation with a review of their Patient Encounter Log, case write-ups and Firecracker quizzes to the session. The Log will be reviewed for completeness, quality and mix of cases. The student’s professional behavior will be addressed, as well as progress in attaining the knowledge  and skills required to evaluate a  patient. There will  be appropriate comments and suggestions  given  to the student to guide them toward improvement.
  14. The student   will use  the patient encounter log   to record  manual skills and procedures     performed or witnessed.
    1. The   following  procedures  are   recommended   to  be  performed   or witnessed  during  the Pediatric rotation:
      1. vision and hearing screening
      2.  otoscopy
      3. administration of inhalation therapy (Metered Dose Inhaler/MDI/Spacer/Nebulizer).
      4. throat culture
      5. immunizations: intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection.
      6. nasopharyngeal swab
      7. peak flow measurement
  15. The students are responsible for  completing the  introductory modules of the Communication     
  16. Skills course prior to the start of the 3rd year core rotations.  In addition,  the modules required for the pediatric rotation are:
    1. #21ommunication and Relationships with Children and Parents. 
    2. #22 The Adolescent Interview.
  17.  The student will complete the web-based assignments (see below) listed in Sakai.
  18. The final written examination will be the National Board of Medical Examiners(NBME) Clinical Subject Examination, given at designated sites.   
  19. The Department  of Pediatrics places  special   emphasis on  professional behavior, as well as knowledge,   interviewing skills,   clinical problem   solving and   the ability to communicate information.
  20. The final grade is  compiled from   information gathered  from preceptors, residents and staff Members   who  have evaluated the  student’s  professional  behavior,  knowledge,  ability to  communicate  and clinical skills.   The grade on the final written examination constitutes 30% of the final grade. 

There are 5 components of the grade: 

  • Clinical Reasoning  
  • Clinical Skills
  • Professional Behavior
  • Communication Skills
  • Written Examination – The student need to score one standard deviation above the mean on the written examination to qualify for an A+ grade on the written examination.

When there   is variation in   the grades on   the separate components,  the final    grade  may be  qualified with a + or a –.

An Honors grade (A+) will require  an A in every  component.

WEB BASED EDUCATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS FOR INDEPENDENT LEARNING

The school requires the successful completion of web-based assignments in order to receive credit for this clerkship. The following web based courses are required:

  • Firecracker
  • Uworld
  • Communication Modules
  • Ethics Modules

The Office of the Dean monitors student performance on these assignments. The completion of these assignments will be sent to the Clerkship Directors for incorporation into the final clerkship grade. The clinical faculty feels these assignments are excellent preparation for the NBME clinical subject exams as well as Step 2. In addition, a student’s diligence in completing these assignments reflects a commitment to excellence, a component of professional behavior grade.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES                                       

Medical Knowledge

  • Gain knowledge in the core topics of the curriculum.
  • Gain supplementary information and data  from journals, texts, research, the internet and other resources.
  • Demonstrate knowledge regarding the major illnesses and conditions that affect newborns.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of health maintenance and preventive pediatrics, including: immunization schedules, newborn screening, lead testing, TB testing, vision and hearing screening.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of growth and development with special emphasis on puberty.  (Tanner Stages)
  • Compare and contrast the feeding and nutritional requirements of  each age and stage of childhood.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of fluid and electrolyte balance.
  • Learn the principles of bioethics and understand how they apply to clinical practice.

Clinical Skills

  • Demonstrate the ability to approach the patient and family in an empathic and  focused manner to form a positive and informative relationship.
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform an accurate and  organized diagnostic interview and record the information precisely and concisely.
  • Perform both comprehensive and focused histories and physical examinations on newborns, infants, toddlers, children  and adolescents.
  • Participate in the selection of relevant laboratory and radiological tests.
  • Interpret results to support or rule out diagnoses and arrive at a working diagnosis.
  • Actively participate in formulating a management plan and participate in carrying out that patient care plan.
  • Communicate orally and/or in writing the information necessary to inform and educate all persons involved in the care of the patient: the patient, family/guardians, nurses and all members of the multidisciplinary health care team. Communication should avoid jargon and vagueness.
  • Participate in making decisions regarding management, discharge and follow-up plans.
  • Interpret laboratory values according to age-related norms.
  • Accompany and observe senior staff in the delivery room for high risk births.
  • Communicate with families regarding education and anticipatory guidance during outpatient visits.
  • Evaluate common infections and  acute illness of children of all ages in the urgent care or emergency setting. 
  • Evaluate children with serious illness in the inpatient setting.
  • Evaluate children with chronic and rare illnesses in the outpatient and sub-specialty centers.
  • Prepare management plans that consider the patient’s identity, culture and ability to adhere  to the recommendations.
  • Demonstrate your ability to research topics and apply clinical research  to your understanding of patient issues.
  • Participate in clinical research when possible, either by participating in  an ongoing project or initiating a new line of inquiry.
  • Learn to self-assess your own unique learning needs.
  • Learn how to devise and enact a plan to strengthen your deficiencies relevant to learning gaps.
  • Learn to assess the credibility of information sources.

Professional Behavior

  • Establish rapport with patients and families that demonstrates respect and compassion.
  • Appreciate and acknowledge their identity and culture.
  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity and respect in dealing with patients, families and colleagues.
  • Adhere to the principals of confidentiality, privacy and informed consent.
  • Demonstrate that you are a responsible team member and carry out all of your assigned duties in a timely manner.
  • Offer assistance when and where it is needed.
  • Demonstrate that you are an effective member of the team by fully participating in discussions and contributing to learning endeavors.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to issues related to culture, race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities.
  • React appropriately to conflicts and ethical dilemmas by working toward solutions.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and adherence to the principals of Bioethics.
  • Demonstrate responsibility in completing assignments.
  • Share insights and information with your peers.
  • Learn to recognize your personal biases and how they lead to diagnostic error.
  • Learn to recognize when there is a need for consultation.
  • Prepare for and commit to life-long learning.

CORE TOPICS

General

  1.  Pediatric history
  2. Pediatric physical exam
  3. Patient write-up (problem oriented approach)
  4. Begin to formulate a differential diagnosis that relates to the presenting complaint, symptoms and findings on history and physical examination.
  5. Formulate a plan for further evaluation (i.e., laboratory, radiology), treatment and management.

Well Child Care

  • Immunizations
  • Routine screening tests
  •  Anticipatory guidance
  • Nutrition

Growth and Development

  • Developmental milestones (when and how to evaluate)
  • Failure to thrive
  • Short stature
  • Obesity

Neonatology

  • The normal newborn
  • Neonatal problems (jaundice, respiratory distress, sepsis, feeding issues)
  • Newborn screening
  • APGAR scoring/Ballard scoring.
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Common Childhood Illnesses and Their Treatments

1.  Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) and pulmonary disorders

  1. Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)   
  2. Asthma                                                                              
  3. Pharyngitis
  4. Foreign body
  5.  Otitis media
  6. Pneumonia
  7. Sinusitis
  8. Cystic fibrosis
  9. Cervical adenitis
  10. Tuberculosis
  11. Croup/epiglottitis
  12. Fever without focus
  13. Bronchiolitis                                                     

2.  Eyes

  1. Conjunctivitis   
  2. Ocular trauma                                         
  3. Amblyopia
  4. Strabismus

3.  Cardiac

  1. Fetal circulation.
  2.  Congenital anomalies: Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Tetralogy of Fallot,  transposition of   the  great   vessels,   coarctation  of the aorta,   patent   ductus     arteriosus   (PDA),   Pulmonic stenosis (PS).  The significance   of these   defects  as isolated findings and as they relate to genetic syndromes.
  3. Acquired heart disease: Rheumatic Fever (RF), myocarditis
  4.  Hypertension

4.  Gastrointestinal Disorders (G.I.)

  1. Gastroenteritis
  2. Constipation/Hirschsprung’s disease
  3. Acute abdomen (appendicitis, intussusception, volvulus)
  4. Inflammatory bowel disease
  5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

5.  Endocrine

  1. Diabetes, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
  2. Thyroid disease
  3. Adrenal disease
  4. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
  5. Failure to Thrive
  6. Obesity
  7. Metabolic Syndrome

6.  Neurology

  1. Seizures
  2. Meningitis
  3. Head trauma
  4. Cerebral palsy
  5. Tumors

7.  Hematology/Oncology

  1. Anemias/hemoglobinopathies
  2. Pediatric malignancies (Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Wilm’s tumor)
  3. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura  (ITP)

8.  Renal and Genitourinary (G.U.)

  1.  Urinary tract infections (UTI’s)
  2.  Nephritis/nephrosis
  3.    Fluid and electrolyte balance
  4.  Congenital anomalies

9.  Dermatology

  1. Seborrheic dermatitis
  2. Atopic dermatitis
  3.    Impetigo
  4. Fungal Infections
  5. Exanthems
  6.    Neurocutaneous stigmata (neurofibromatosis, etc.)

10. Ingestions and Toxidromes

  1. Lead poisoning
  2. Salicylate, acetaminophen
  3. Iron

11. Common Pediatric Orthopedic Problems

  1. Developmental dysplasia of the hip
  2. Osgood Schlatter
  3.    Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis
  4. Torsions
  5.  Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  6. Dislocated radial head,(Nursemaid’s elbow)
  7. Fractures

12. Musculoskeletal System

  1. Osteomyelitis/septic arthritis
  2. Muscular dystrophies

13. Adolescence

  1. Tanner staging
  2. Precocious/delayed puberty
  3. Stages of adolescent development
  4. Sexually transmitted infections
  5. Pregnancy/menstrual irregularities
  6. Vaginal discharge

14. Child Maltreatment Syndrome

  1. Physical abuse
  2. Sexual abuse
  3. Emotional abuse
  4. Neglect

15. Genetics

  1. Down Syndrome, # 21 trisomy
  2. #13 trisomy
  3.    #18 trisomy
  4. Turner Syndrome
  5. Klinefelter Syndrome

16. Collagen Vascular

  1.   Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
  2.   Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  3.   Henoch Schonlein purpura
  4.   Kawasaki disease
  5.   Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

17. Behavioral Issues

  1. Temper tantrums
  2. Discipline issues
  3. Sleep disorders
  4. Attention Deficit Disorders
  5. Hyperactivity issues
  6. Learning disabilities
  7. Oppositional defiant disorders

18. Immunology

  1. Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV)
  2. Congenital Immunodeficiency Syndromes

19.  Ethical Principals

  1. Respect for persons (privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, inclusion of patient/parent
  2. In decision making, provision for identity and culture, disclosure)
  3. Medical beneficence (concern for the patient’s best interest)
  4. Non-maleficence (not harming)
  5. Utility (balancing potential benefit to potential harm)
  6. Justice (being fair)

READING

Suggested Approach to Reading for Medical Student Pediatric Rotations

“Reading” is an essential part of medical education. How to best benefit from the time spent reading for Pediatrics may vary among individuals. More important, than the reading per se is the retention of what you have read and the ability to recall and return to the source of the material – to create a “library” of important material in your notes in your files, and in your memory.

The following suggested reading materials (comprehensive textbooks, condensed textbook, specialized topical books, reference books, synopses, journals, internet sites) may be available at your Pediatric site and should constitute sufficient resources for your basic and applied Pediatric reading.

As you start your rotations, important preliminary reading should be done in the earlier chapters devoted to Growth and Development in one of the comprehensive textbooks. One must formulate a sense of the normal parameters of each stage of development so as to appreciate how illness affects children differently during different stages of the pediatric years.

These textbooks, journals, as well as internet sites, provide in-depth descriptions of all new aspects of pediatric care.

Students should use the most recent edition of the following:

Required

  • Pediatrics for Medical Students – Most recent edition, edited by Daniel Bernstein and Steven P. Shelov, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Comprehensive Textbooks

  • Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics, Latest Edition, Saunders publisher, edited by Behrman, Kliegman, Jenson
  • Rudolph’s Textbook of Pediatrics, Latest Edition, McGraw-Hill publisher, edited by Rudolph, Rudolph, Hostetter, Lister, Siegel
  • Illustrated Textbook of Pediatrics by Tom Lissauer and Graham Clayden
  • Pediatrics and Child Health by Rudolf and Levene published by Blackwell

Condensed Textbooks

  • Pediatrics:  A Primary Care Approach, 1st Edition, Saunders publisher, Editor C. Berkowitz
  • Manual of Pediatric Practice, Saunders publisher, Editor L. Finberg
  • Growth and Development, Watson and Lowrey
  • Essential Pediatrics, Hull and Johnstone

Useful Subspecialty Books

  • Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Lippincott, WW publisher, edited by Fleisher, Ludwig, Henretig, Ruddy, Silverman
  • Clinical Pediatric Dermatology, Elsevier publisher, edited by Paller & Mancini
  • Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis, Mosby publisher, edited by Zitelli and Davis
  • The Requisites in Pediatrics, Mosby publisher, series of small topical subspecialty volumes edited by L Bell, including Nephrology, Urology, Pulmonary, Endocrinology, and Cardiology
  • Red Book, (Infectious Diseases) American Academy of Pediatrics, Edited by Pickering et al

Abbreviated Reference Books

  • Harriet Lane Handbook, Mosby publisher, edited by senior pediatric residents at The Johns Hopkins Hospital
  • Pediatric Secrets, Hanley & Bellis publisher, edited by Polin and Ditmar
  • The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult Series, CHOP, edited by M. William Schwartz

Resource Materials pertaining to Cultural Competency

  • Bigby J. Cross Cultural Medicine. New York: American College of Physicians, 2003 p. 1-28
  • Miller S.Z. Humanism and Medicine Acad Med Vol 74, N07/July 1999 p. 800-803
  • Coulehan JL. Block MR. The Medical Interview; Mastering Skills for Clinical Practice. 4th edition
  •   Philadelphia, Davis, 2001. Chapter 12 Cultural Competence in the Interview p. 228-245
  •   The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down; A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and  the Collision of Two Cultures.  By Anne Fadiman. Farrar, Straus

Journals

  • Pediatrics
  • Journal of Pediatrics
  • Academic Pediatrics
  • Pediatrics in Review
  • Pediatric Clinics
  • Journal of Pediatric Infectious Disease

Internet Sites

  • www.comsep.org - Provides curriculum and lists topics in pediatrics.  This site is primarily for faculty members, but has relevant sections for students. Includes excellent video demonstrating how to perform a physical examination on a child.
  • www.aap.org - Offers access to all American Academy of Pediatrics Policies and Guidelines
  • www.brightfutures.aap.org - Offers information about developmental milestones, anticipatory guidance, and mental health
  • www.geneclinics.org - Sponsors a database for genetic diseases and newborn screening methodologies

Required Clinical Encounters and the Patient Encounter Log

The below list of complaints and diagnoses must be entered into your Patient Encounter Log (PEL) Program during each Core and Family Medicine Clerkship.

Link: PEL     https://myapps.sgu.edu/PEL/Admin/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fPEL

The faculty in each specialty have identified specific clinical experiences that are a requirement for the clerkship. The PEL program is designed to track each student’s patient encounters, clinical setting in which the encounter occurs, and level of responsibility. This program allows the school to standardize the curriculum. All patient’s complaints and/or diagnosis encountered during clinical rotations must be entered into the (PEL) program. Entering the required clinical encounters “Must See List” is required during clinical rotations and will be displayed to the clerkship director for review on the final clerkship evaluation. Whenever possible incorporate the Communication Skill course topic for each required encounter. Never place patients’ names or any patient identifying information in this program, this would be a HIPPA violation.

If students are unable to see a required clinical encounter, they must view the virtual visit link and watch the video. Once the encounter video is viewed, add the virtual encounter in the PEL as a Virtual visit.

Pediatrics

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Psychiatry