Department of Pediatrics
Senior Electives Catalogue
Telephone: (602) 344-5885
The Department of Pediatrics offers several electives:
- Research
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Inpatient Pediatrics
- Ambulatory Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Clinical Genetics/Dysmorphology
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Research
Length of Time: 4 weeks
Offered: year round
Maximum enrollment: Maximum enrollment not applicable
Patient care elective: This may be a Patient Care or non-Patient Care elective.
Goals:
Determined by mutual agreement of student and faculty member.
Format:
The student will be afforded an opportunity to synthesize, develop and execute a research project of clinical or basic nature in any of the sections of the Department in which such an interest is demonstrated. At the present time, participating sections include Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatrics, Adolescent Critical Care, Gastroenterology Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Allergy, Neurology, Nutrition, Clinical Pharmacology, Pulmonary, Sexual Abuse, Neonatology, Gynecology and Child Abuse. However, such an elective needs to be arranged at least four months in advance so that a suitable research project can be planned.
Evaluation Methods:
- Written report summarizing research progress.
- Observation of skills in performing assigned research.
* This elective requires that the student have the approval of the course director prior to signing up for the elective so that an appropriate research experience can be planned.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Faculty: Dr. Alan Frechette & Faculty
Length of Time: 4 weeks;
Offered: year round
Maximum enrollment: 2
Patient care elective: Yes
Limitations/prerequisites: Pediatric Core Clerkship
Goals:
This rotation will provide students with an exposure to a wide variety of pediatric medical and traumatic emergencies. Clinical teaching will focus on the expeditions evaluation and management of pediatric primary care problems as well as more serious illnesses and injuries.
Format:
Student will work in the pediatric emergency services/ urgent care clinic under supervision of faculty. A didactic program (see below) covering essential topics in pediatric resuscitation, trauma care and management of urgent and emergent pediatric illnesses will accompany the clinical experience. Externs will also attend the weekly M&M conference with the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Lecture topics:
- Essentials of Pediatric Resuscitation
- Fluid & Electrolyte Management in the PED
- The Febrile Child
- Pediatric Airway & Respiratory Emergencies
- Stabilization & Evaluation of the Pediatric Trauma patient
- Recognition & Reporting of Child Abuse
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Emergencies
- Dermatology in the PED
Evaluation Methods:
Staff observation of clinical performance.
Inpatient Pediatrics
Faculty: Dr. Prabodh Hemmady & Faculty
Length of: Maximum length of 4 weeks
Offered: year round
Maximum enrollment: Maximum enrollment of 1
Patient care elective: yes
Goals:
The primary goals for senior medical students who take this elective are as follows:
- To understand the continuum of care for children with acute illness, from initial presentation through discharge planning.
- To understand how to assess and manage common signs and symptoms associated with acute illness and hospitalization.
- To develop a logical and reasonable clinical approach to the care of hospitalized children, applying principles of decision making and problem solving.
- To learn how to function as part of an interdisciplinary team on a general pediatric inpatient unit.
- To develop skills to provide psychosocial support to acutely ill children and their stressed families.
Format:
Evaluation and care of patients admitted to pediatric service. Responsibility will be commensurate with abilities and previous experiences. Night call will be included.
Active participation in routine teaching sessions: ward rounds (attending and resident work rounds), clinical and x-ray conferences, grand rounds and subspecialty conferences.
Evaluation Methods:
Attainment of individual goals, improvement of problem-solving skills, patient presentations on rounds and observation of history and physical exams. Evaluations will include interns, senior residents, and the attending pediatrician with input from interdisciplinary team members.
Ambulatory Pediatrics
Faculty: Dr. Julia Kelly & Faculty
Length of: 4 weeks, 3 weeks; Maximum length of 4 weeks
Offered: year round
Maximum enrollment: 1
Patient care elective: yes
Goals:
Students will discuss specific goals with the staff and program will be tailored to meet these needs. Goals of the elective are:
- To gain clinical skills in diagnosis and management of acute and chronic medical illnesses in an ambulatory setting.
- To learn how to provide cost effective, quality care in an ambulatory setting.
- To gain knowledge and management skills in handling the psychosocial problems of an indigent population.
Format:
The student will function as a subintern in the Pediatric clinic. He/she will be assigned to both general Pediatric clinic and subspecialty clinics. Both general pediatric clinic and subspecialty clinics are held simultaneously. The student may elect to attend any of the weekly subspecialty clinics including Hematology, Cardiology, Neurology, Allergy and Gynecology. Other subspecialty clinics are available on a biweekly basis. The student will also attend Ambulatory Pediatric Conferences five times per week.
Evaluation Methods:
Attainment of individual goals, improvement of clinical skills in ambulatory pediatrics.
Neonatology
Faculty: Dr. Mahesh Kotwal & Faculty
Length of Time: 6 weeks, 4 weeks; Maximum length of 6 weeks
Offered: year round
Maximum Enrollment: 1
Patient Care Elective: Yes
Goals:
- Learn resuscitation of the newborn.
- Evaluation, management and follow-up care of the high risk newborn.
Format:
Student will be assigned to the neonatal intensive care unit where he/she will be expected to attend high-risk deliveries and participate in the management of critically ill newborns and healthy premature infants.
Evaluation Methods:
Observation of ability to perform physical exam, obtain history and help in the management of high risk newborns.
Pediatric Critical Care
Faculty: Dr. Kote Chundu & Faculty
Length of Time: 6 weeks, 4 weeks; Maximum length of 6 weeks
Offered: Offered September to May
Maximum enrollment: 1
Patient care elective: Yes
Limitations/prerequisites: Fourth year medical students only
Goals:
To provide the student with general principles of pediatric critical care with major emphasis on understanding physiology and pathophysiology in order to provide the appropriate care for the sick child. The student will learn to diagnose and manage common pediatric critical care issues including shock, respiratory failure (including different models of mechanical ventilation), trauma, burns and postoperative care of the child.
Format:
Direct care of 1-2 patients under the supervision of the senior pediatric resident and pediatric critical care faculty.
Daily attending rounds in the ICU and direct informal teaching from the attending.
Formal pediatric critical care lectures twice a week
Evaluation Methods:
In depth review of a critical care topic of interest by the student, guided and supervised by the faculty.
Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Faculty: Dr. Roxanne Hecht
Length of Time: 4 weeks , Maximum of 4 weeks
Offered: Year round
Patient Care Elective: Yes
Prerequisites: General Pediatric rotation
Goals:
Familiarize trainee with major presentations and evaluations of gastrointestinal, hepatic and nutritional disease. Included will be discussion of malabsorption, GE reflux, cholesteric inflammatory bowel disease, abdominal pain, peptic disease.
Format:
Participation in GI clinic, consultative service and nursery rounds. Didactic sessions will be given in major topics in pediatric GI.
Evaluation Methods:
One on one feedback with GI staff on consultations and outpatient evaluations. Trainee generally present a short talk on a GI topic of interest.