Southwest Campus

Medical Oncology

St. Alexius Medical Center and Mid Dakota Clinic

IMED 9104

Participating Faculty:
B. R. Amin, M.D.
M.R. Thomas, M.D.

Offered: All periods
Positions: 1

Objectives of the Elective:

  1. Effective interviewing skills and appropriate and complete physical examinations.
  2. Efficient assessment of problems and appropriate listing.
  3. Understanding general principles of oncology -- etiology of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, cancer biology, pathophysiology, symptoms and treatment planning.
  4. Chemotherapy--principles, clinical pharmacology, awareness of administration and toxicities.
  5. Procedures--to learn blood smear interpretation, bone marrow biopsy.

Instructional Activities:

  1. Patient care rounds--discussion of inpatient, case presentation at tumor boards.
  2. See and work up outpatients.
  3. Instruction on outpatient chemotherapy administration.
  4. Observation of procedures, review of x-rays, scans, etc.
  5. Attending hospice departmental meetings; instruction on pain control in terminal patients.

Standards of Performance (Outcomes) Indicating Attainment of Objectives:

  1. Evaluation by daily performance of clinical activity.
  2. Reading up on the problems orientated to given patients.
  3. Quality of H and P and notes.
  4. Ability to identify appropriate problems, good interviewing skills, adequate and complete physical examination without missing significant finding, willingness to learn.

Criteria for Grading:

  1. Must have satisfactory rating or above on clinical competencies listed on the 4th year student clinical performance evaluation.
  2. Ability to do H and Ps at end of the rotation.
  3. Ability to demonstrate skills in procedures taught during rotation.
  4. Ability to answer appropriate questions for level of training by end of rotation.