Women’s Health Clerkship: Educational Objective

Knowledge and Lifelong Learning

At the conclusion of the Women’s Health Clerkship the students will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge in the basic and clinical sciences appropriate for the level of training and be able to integrate this knowledge to patient care situations.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of normal pelvic anatomy and the physiologic changes of pregnancy.

2. Identify the processes of normal labor and delivery

3. Participate as a principal and assistant in normal labor and delivery

1. The student will act as the principal obstetrician for a laboring patient with supervision.

2. The student will write a full admission H&P and progress notes on a laboring patient.

4. Recognize antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum complications.

1. Participate in both postpartum and antepartum rounds.

2. Attend all outpatient obstetrical patient clinics.

3. Assist residents in triage and admission decisions.

5. Obtain a complete history from an obstetrical and gynecological patient.

1. Interview a patient in a variety of settings such as the OB/GYN clinic and Labor & Delivery

2. Receive feedback on the physical examinations (see section objective 6).

6. Recognize and manage common problems in ambulatory obstetrics and gynecology including breast care, contraception, and preventive health care for women.

1. The student will learn to manage common medical complication in pregnancy such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes mellitus, and seizures.

2. Perform a complete breast examination

3. Specify appropriate preventive health care measures for different populations of women, e.g. mammogram, PAP smears and DEXA scans

4. Student should be familiar with various forms of contraception including emergency contraception.

7. Perform pelvic examinations on healthy and ill obstetric/gynecologic patients

1. Have a basic understanding of the pelvic examination.

2. Perform several PAP smears

3. Participate in colposcopy clinic

4. Make a wet prep of a patient with a vaginal discharge

5. Microscopically recognize various forms of vaginitis.

8. Recognize the clinical features of common gynecologic disorders and their prevention. These include: pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, hydatidiform moles, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, breast disorders.

1. Each student should be able to develop a differential diagnosis for these disorders

2. Each student should be able to suggest the primary form of therapy for these disorders.

9. Recognize the clinical features of gynecologic neoplasms including ovarian, endometrial, cervical and vulvar. Be able to discuss treatment modalities.

10. Have a basic understanding of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

1. Be able to diagnose disorders of androgen excess including polycystic ovarian syndrome, congenial adrenal hyperplasia.

2. Be able to discuss infertility, diagnostic evaluation and possible treatment options.

3. Be able to diagnose menopause and discuss treatment modalities.

4. Understand disorders of menstruation including amenorrhea, abnormal uterine bleeding and precocious puberty.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical, social, economic and cultural influences upon the health and health care delivery of patients.

1. Participate in resident continuity clinics and follow patients throughout their pregnancy.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the coding procedure.

3. Attend to hospitalized patients with the attending and/or resident.

4. Serve as an advocate for patients for quality patient care and assist patients in dealing with the system complexities when appropriate.

3. Be able to identify socio-cultural, familial, psychological, economic, environmental, legal, political, and spiritual factors affecting health care, and demonstrate ability to respond to these factors.

1. Demonstrate the ability to interact effectively and compassionately with patient of all cultures and economic classes.

2. Demonstrate an understanding legal climate affecting the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in the United States by proper documentation.

3. Demonstrate and understanding of the impact of escalating health care costs and suggest appropriate testing and procedures.

4. Understand the political climate of reproductive rights and non-directive counseling.

Interpersonal and Communications

At the conclusion of the Women’s Health Clerkship the students will:

4. Demonstrate the ability to establish professional relationships with patients, build a comprehensive medical, social and personal history, conduct either a focused or comprehensive physical examination as indicated, develop a suitable diagnosis and management plan for common obstetrical and gynecologic problems affecting patients.

1. Demonstrate the ability to see patients independently and to elicit an accurate history.

2. Demonstrate the ability to elicit key physical findings on a physical examination.

3. Develop the ability to work with the health care team to develop a differential diagnosis and a suitable management plans for both obstetrical and gynecologic patients.

5. Demonstrate clear, professional, and effective communication skills with patients and family member, as well as health care team members.

1. Demonstrate the ability to write clear and concise histories and physicals in a timely manner.

2. Be able to present the patient in an accurate and logical manner

3. Give two comprehensive presentations to a faculty member on patients seen in the rotation.

4. Demonstrate the ability to give “bad news” to patients and families.

5. Demonstrate the ability to give short concise presentations on areas of interests in obstetrics and gynecology during morning report

6. Demonstrate the capacity to both give and receive constructive feedback.

1. Participate in the mid-term evaluation process

2. Participate in the evaluation of the residents and faculty in a responsible manner

3. Respond appropriately to feedback given by the residents and faculty throughout the rotation.

4. Receive appropriate feedback following observations of clinic histories and physicals by staff and residents.

Professionalism, Advocacy, and Personal Growth

At the conclusion of the Women’s Health Clerkship the students will:

7. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses in both patient care and within the healthcare team as well as make changes to facilitate collaborative relationships.

1. Recognize the limits of both knowledge and surgical skills.

2. Be willing to obtain help from others when limits of skills are reached.

3. Respond appropriately to feedback.

8. Demonstrate responsible behaviors consistent with the highest ethical standards of Women’s Health.

1. Be punctual and attend all required conference, clinics, surgeries, etc.

2. Write complete and accurate notes in a timely fashion.

3. Document and present medical data accurately and truthfully

4. Be courteous to patients, families, and other healthcare professionals

5. Demonstrate respect for the confidentiality of information

6. Avoid imposing personal values: use non-directive questions

7. Demonstrate respect for patients with lifestyles different from your own.

9. Demonstrate a commitment to leadership and the advancement of new knowledge in the field of Women’s Health.

1. Demonstrate the ability to review the literature and present findings in a clear concise manner.

2. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize information from various sources.