Family Medicine Clerkship Goals

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Medical Knowledge

1.      Describe the principal underlying causes, mechanisms and processes involved in the etiology of medical illnesses, including:

Abdominal Pain/Acute Abdomen, Allergic Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Asthma, Back pain, Chest pain, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Cough, Diabetes Mellitus (any type), Diarrhea/Constipation, Dizziness/Abnormal Gait/Balance, Dyslipidemia, Dyspnea, GERD, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Hypertension, Illness co-managed by primary care physician & specialist, Musculoskeletal Pain/Disorder, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), Thyroid Disease, Smoking/Tobacco Use Disorder, Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URI), Visual Changes, Nausea/vomiting, Obesity, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Headache, Mood Disorders, Prevention and Screening Visit: Adolescent (13-18 years), Prevention and Screening Visit: School Age (5-12 years), Prevention and Screening Visit: Pre-School (3-4 years), Prevention and Screening Visit: Toddler (1-2 years), Prevention and Screening Visit:  Infant (< 1 year), Prevention and Screening Visit: Adult (18-64 years), Prevention and Screening Visit: Geriatric (65 years and older), Prenatal/Postpartum care, Rash or Other Skin Disorder, Substance Use Disorder/Dependence, Vaginal Discharge/Vaginitis, Sexual Dysfunction (male or female), Sleep Disorders.    

1.2

2.     Describe management and treatment options (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) for common illnesses

1.3

3.      Explain the developmental milestones that occur through infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood

1.4

4.     Demonstrate an understanding of economic, psychological, social and cultural factors that impact patient health

1.5

5.     Explain the principles of preventative medicine, including vaccine schedules, cancer screening, counseling for risk prevention, maintenance of healthy lifestyle and obesity prevention

1.6

6.      Demonstrate an understanding of study design and basic testing characteristics to incorporate evidence based medicine into practice

1.7

Patient Care

1.     Elicit a complete and focused history and physical examinations of patients, including: Back examination

2.1

2.     Interpret common screening and diagnostic tests, including electrocardiograms, chest x-rays, electrolyte panels, liver function testing, complete blood count abnormalities and lipid panels

2.1

3.      Apply clinical reasoning skills in developing a prioritized differential diagnosis

2.2

4.      Construct appropriate management strategies for patients

5.    Perform core procedural skills, including: ear lavage, IM or SQ injection, pelvic examination/Pap smear, and venipuncture

2.3

6.    Counsel patients utilizing health maintenance guidelines to educate on risk factors for diseases

2.5

7.    Demonstrate ability to understand and utilize health maintenance guidelines to identify risk factors for disease in patients

2.6

8.    Utilize the health record to assist in care of patients, including chart review, documentation and request of medical records

2.7

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

1.      Present a complete history and physical examination

3.1

2.     Discuss with the patient and family the findings of the clinical investigation and plans for follow up, possible courses of therapy with indications, risks, benefits and alternatives

3.2

3.     Demonstrate an understanding of how cultural beliefs and spirituality can affect healthcare outcomes, including obtaining a cultural history when appropriate

3.2

4.      Use effective communication skills and styles when working with other health care professionals

3.3

5.      Demonstrate the ability to deal with difficult clinical situations

3.5

6.      Organize a presentation on health and illness from a biopsychosocial perspective

7.    Document accurate history, physical examination, and assessment and plan in notes of the patient's medical record.        

3.6

 3.4

Practice Based Learning and Improvement

1.      Recognize and accept one’s own limitations in knowledge and clinical skills

4.1

2.     Critically evaluate one’s performance to identify strengths and personal limitations in clinical knowledge or study methods, and develop learning goals to address limitations

4.1/4.2

3.      Actively seek out timely and formative feedback

4.3

4.     Collaborate with peers, other healthcare professionals, patients and families in order to integrate feedback to positively modify clinical behavior

4.3

5.     Demonstrate the ability to effectively read, research and critically review the scientific evidence relevant to the care of patients and clinical issues

4.4/4.5

6.      Utilize information technology to access and manage clinical information and perform online searches to support self-directed learning

4.5

7.      Perform efficient literature searches and apply the results of medical research to clinical practice

4.5

Professionalism

1.     Demonstrate professionalism by behaving in a professional, courteous and respectful manner when engaged with peers, faculty, residents and non-physician staff

5.1

2.     Demonstrate behaviors that foster patients’ trust in the physician, including: appropriate dress, appropriate grooming, compassion, reliability, honesty, and respect for privacy

5.1

3.     Demonstrate professional behavior by completing all clerkship requirements, including clerkship evaluations, in a timely manner

5.2

4.     Demonstrate responsibility and accountability by attending and being punctual at all required clerkship activities, including lectures, small groups, morning report and clinical rounds

5.2

5.     Demonstrate professional behavior by requesting any excused absence from required clerkship activities in the required time frame

5.2

6.      Demonstrate professional behavior by responding to direct communication from the Clerkship Director or Coordinator in a timely fashion, particularly in circumstances related to academic performance

5.2

7.      Demonstrate advocacy for patients over personal interests

5.3

8.      Demonstrate respect for patient privacy, and sensitivity to patients with diverse backgrounds

5.3/5.4

9.     Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior by honestly completing clerkship examinations without attempting to seek advantage by unfair means, and by reporting unethical behavior of peers to clerkship administration

5.6

Systems Based Practice

1.     Identify considerations of cost awareness for patient care.

6.1

2.     Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of economic and health insurance issues on patient care

6.1

3.      Collaborate with health care professionals to assess, coordinate and improve health care delivery, to promote health, prevent disease and manage illness

6.2

4.      Utilize strategies to access health care services for patients who need advocacy and assistance

6.2/6.4

5.      Analyze and identify system errors and potential solutions

6.3

6.      Identify ways to advocate for quality patient care and optimal patient care systems

6.4

7.      Identify individuals at risk for inadequate healthcare, including the uninsured, elderly, physically and mentally disabled

6.4

8.     Demonstrate commitment to and examples of service to patients in need

6.4

Inter-professional Collaboration

1.     Work collaboratively with all health professionals on the team to optimize delivery of care to the patient

7.1/7.3

2.     Respectfully and effectively communicate issues of patient care with non-physician healthcare workers

7.1/7.3

3.      Organize the appropriate use of consultants and referrals

7.1/7.3

4.      Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of other members of the healthcare team

7.2

Personal and Professional Development

1.      Demonstrate a personal responsibility to maintaining one’s own physical and mental well-being

8.1

2.      Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to pursuing learning opportunities for personal and professional growth and development

8.2