Stritch School of Medicine - Elective Course Catalog

Introduction

Medicine (MED)

Dept. Contact:	Debi Kurcab
Location:	Rm. 7611A, Bldg. 102
Phone:	708-216-4813
Email:	dkurcab@lumc.edu

Department: Medicine

Course Number: MED-441

Course Title: Geriatrics

No. of Students: 1

Site: HVA

Supervisor: Ileana Soneru, M.D.

Duration: 4.0 weeks

Periods Offered: Year round

Prerequisite: Available to third and fourth year students; open to SSOM students only.

Special Note: On the first day of the rotation, report to Allene at 8:30AM in Bldg. 200, Rm. 1447.

Description:
DESCRIPTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES: The student will acquire (1) greater proficiency in collection of clinical and laboratory data from elderly patients; (2) knowledge of contribution which can be made by various members of the health care team; (3) knowledge of community resources which can contribute to the care of the elderly; (4) knowledge of the distinction between the aging process and disease in aging; and (5) insight into his feelings and bias toward aging and the aged.

CONTENT AREAS: 1. Psychosocial Aspects of Aging to include normal behavior, demography and epidemiology, social resources and programs, attitudes toward the elderly, interaction of bio-psychosocial factors.
2. Geriatric Disorders and Problems to include anatomy and physiology of the aging process in organ systems; pathology and pathophysiology; epidemiology and natural history; assessment and management of diseases, disorders and common symptom complexes, drug toxicity, preoperative evaluation; incontinence and falls, iatrogenic illnesses, nutrition, social problems.
3. Assessment and Management of the Elderly to include interviewing and functional history; communication and interpersonal skills, physical examination, special clinical tests; clinical decision making; record keeping; preventative medicine; clinical pharmacology; rehabilitation; health care team/coordinated interdisciplinary care; continuity of care; continuum of care/health care delivery alternatives; humanistic care.

TRAINING SITES (hours per week): inpatient (20 h), nursing home (15 h), outpatient clinic (5 h).

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: As part of a health care team, the student will work with: interns, residents, internists, psychiatrists, other MD specialists, a nurse practitioner, LPHNs, RNs, physical therapists, social workers, psychologists, nutritionists, neurologists, podiatrists, dentists, clergy and pharmacists.

COURSE COMPONENTS: Clinical activities, (inpatient and outpatient, nursing home) lectures, readings, special seminars, tutorials, written report of literature review.

Method of Evaluation: Evaluation will be conducted by an internal staff committee. Evaluation focus will include clinical skills, clinical biomedical knowledge, satisfaction, psychological/social skills and attitudes, analysis of literature.