Southwest Campus

Infectious Disease

Participating Faculty: C. Kent Martin, M.D.

Offered:

Objectives of the Elective:

1. Become familiar with the basic operation of the microbiology laboratory and the interpretation of gram stain, Culture and sensitivity results.
2. Be able to make basic selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy based on laboratory results.
3. Integrate antibiotic therapy choices with the clinical presentation of the patient - i.v. vs p.o. therapy, absorption, excretion and allergic concilliations.
4. Learn the elements of an infectious disease consult and how to examine a patient who has a suspected infectious disease.
5. Become familiar with state-of-the-art child and adult immunization practices.

Instructional Activities:

1. Make early infectious disease rounds at Medcenter One.
2. Spend one half day in micro lab going over plates and operational technques until familiar with lab procedures.  (This may be up to two weeks.)
3. Have the opportunity to actually do infectious disease consults guided and enhanced by the infectious diseases attending.
4. Participate in the clinical care of outpatient infectious disease cases including HN/AIDS problems.

Standards of Performance (Outcomes) Indicating Attainment of Objectives:

1. Be able to complete a thorough history and physical, integrate laboratory results, construct a differential for suspected pathogens and formulate a plan for diagnosis and treatment.
2. Be familiar with the treatment of common and important infectious diseases problems - community acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infections, meningitis, STD's.
3. Recite from memory pediatric and adult immunization schedules.
4. Recite the common categories of antibiotics and know spectrum of activity, toxicities and indications for altering dose.

Criteria for Grading:

1. Honor, Pass, Fail  (Oral exam will be given weekly with specific aim of student attaining satisfactory standard of performance.)