Northeast Campus

Family Medicine

Altru Clinic-Lake Region, Devils Lake, ND

FMED 9322

Participating Faculty: Heidi Bittner, M.D.

Period Offered: 1

Purpose: The student will be exposed to outpatient family medicine in a rural setting.

Objectives of the Elective: Following successful completion of this elective. the student will be able to:

l.         Evaluate and manage a broad spectrum of acute problems encountered in a diverse population of all ages.

2.         Manage chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension.

3.         Gain practical experience evaluating and beginning to manage the wide scope of problems the family practitioner sees on a daily basis, from pediatrics through geriatrics.

4.         Present patient encounters in an effective manner and document appropriately in the medical record.

5.         Address preventive medicine aspects of health care delivery.

6.         Learn clinical procedures that can be performed in an ambulatory health care setting.

7.         Learn to manage continuity-of-care patient problems in the hospital setting.

8.         Describe the unique aspects of practicing medicine in a rural setting.

Instructional Activities: During this elective, students will be involved in/experience:

1.         Evaluation and management of patients in the outpatient clinic.

2.         Interpretation of tests such as EKGs, x-rays, and labs.

3.         Reading of current literature pertinent to patients seen in the clinic.

4.         Assisting with minor procedures including, but not limited to, vasectomy, colposcopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, dermatologic procedures, and joint/soft tissue injections.

5.         Exposure to practice management, including utilization of resources and supervision of provider schedules.

6.         Continuity-of-care patient management from clinic or emergency room to operating room, obstetrics/delivery, or me/surg unit, as appropriate.

7.         Informal didactics and case presentations.

8.         Exposure to unique aspects of rural medicine.

Assessment: Determination of competency regarding objectives:

1.         The student will demonstrate ability to perform an appropriate history and examination.

2.         The student will demonstrate ability to accurately diagnose patients and formulate appropriate management plans.

3.         The student will communicate effectively through both verbal case presentations and written documentation in the outpatient record.

4.         The student will show working knowledge of common outpatient conditions through case discussions and presentation of selected clinical topics.

Criteria for Grading: During and following this elective, the preceptor will:

1.         Judge by direct observation the student’s ability to perform an appropriate history and examination.

2.         Evaluate student’s clinical aptitude based on ability to diagnose and manage common conditions.

3.         Assess the student’s understanding of common disease states by observation of case presentations and discussions of selected clinical topics.

4.         Judge by direct observation the student’s ability to effectively and concisely communicate verbally and in writing.