Northeast Campus

General Internal Medicine

Altru Health System

IMED 9391 (Acting Internship)      IMED 9301 (Elective)

Participating Faculty:
Jon W. Allen, M.D.                        Rolf R. Paulson, M.D.                 Seth Dorman, NP, Clinical Instructor
LaVaun M. McCann, M.D             Kirsten Peterson, M.D.                Dan Rustvang, NP, Clinical Instructor

Periods Offered/number of students per period:  All periods/1 student/per period

Purpose:  To provide the fourth year medical student with extensive experience in the provision of medical care to the internal medicine patient, both inpatients and outpatients.


Positions: 1 student per faculty per period

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

  1. Evaluate patients presenting to the internal medicine service (whether inpatient or outpatient), obtain histories and examination data, and utilize the information to make rational clinical decisions in the best interest of the patient.
  2. Evaluate and manage common conditions of the adult medical patient including, but not limited to, disorders of the neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and renal systems.
  3. Describe the basic evaluation and management of the medical patient's health maintenance, including psychological and social needs.
  4. Interpret basic electrocardiograms, pulmonary function tests, and radiographic studies in relation to the patient's presenting concerns.
  5. Formulate a differential diagnosis and plan of care for the medical patient.
  6. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of the above medical conditions by outlining diagnosis, treatment, and management on rounds and in clinic.
  7. Appropriately document the interaction and care of the patient via the physician's orders, history and physical exam write-ups, progress notes, and other communication common to primary care physicians.
  8. Interact with the health care team as a patient advocate.
  9. Display professionalism in interactions with the patients, physicians, and all members of the health care team.

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

  1. Reading of internal medicine textbooks and primary literature to support and expand clinical and didactic teaching.
  2. Discussion of cases among peers with attending supervision.
  3. Instruction on the interpretation of electrocardiography, radiography, pulmonary function testing, laboratory studies, and other tests as ordered and performed by the internal medicine preceptor.
  4. Informal didactic teaching oriented toward internal medicine topics.
  5. Call duties with the attending physician.
  6. Weekly educational conferences..

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

  1. Judge by direct observation of clinical skills and review of the patient medical records, the student's ability to perform an efficient history and physical exam on the medical patient.
  2. Evaluate by direct observation the student's ability to interpret various diagnostic tests.
  3. Judge by direct observation the student's level of proficiency in diagnosis and treatment of medical diseases.
  4. Judge by direct observation the student's ability to work as a member of an integrated health team in a professional manner.
  5. Judge by direct observation the student's ability to present cases and integrate, assess and learn new information.
  6. Complete the standard UND 4th year evaluation form with particular attention to the skills obtained in the items listed above under "Criteria for Grading."