EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
WSU-BSOM EMERGENCY MEDICINE FOURTH YEAR CLERKSHIP

I. Knowledge and Life-Long Learning

A core knowledge base relevant to emergency medicine topics will be taught by direct patient care and supervision, human patient simulation cases, and small group didactics. By the end of the emergency medicine clerkship, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

-Develop the skills to evaluate an undifferentiated patient in real time

- Develop a differential diagnosis based upon the initial patient presentation with awareness of worst case diagnoses recognizing immediate life threatening illnesses

-Obtain an accurate history and physical exam on either actual patients or simulated patients, focused on key symptom oriented problems including the following:

Abdominal and pelvic pain:

Aortic aneurysm
Appendicitis
Bowel obstruction
Cholelithiasis/cholecystitis
Diverticulitis
Ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian torsion
Nephrolithiasis
Testicular torsion

Alteration/loss of consciousness:

Hypoglycemia
Seizure
Syncope

Chest Pain:

Acute coronary syndromes
Aortic dissection
pneumothorax

Environmental exposures:

Burns including chemical and thermal
Envenomations including hymenoptera, latrodectus, and crotalus
Hypothermia and hyperthermia

Eye pain and vision change:

Acute angle closure glaucoma
Trauma
Retinal detachment

Gastrointestinal bleeding:

Upper including peptic, variceal
Lower including diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, malignancy

Headache

Mass lesions
Meningitis
Migraine

Poisoning/overdose

Anion gap metabolic acidosis
Decontamination
Specific poisionings incuding:

Acetaminophen
Carbon monoxide
Opioids
Salicylates
Tricyclic antidepressants
Toxic alcohols

Psychiatric

Acute psychosis
Substance abuse
Suicidal ideation and attempt risk assessment

Resuscitation

Basic airway management
Basic airway maneuvers
Airway adjuncts
Bag-valve-mask ventilation
First minute of a medical or traumatic code
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Dysrhythmia identification/treatment

Shock

Anaphylactic
Obstructive
Cardiogenic
Hypovolemic
Septic

Shortness of breath

Airway obstruction
Asthma/COPD
Heart failure
Pneumonia
Pulmonary embolism

Traumatic injuries

Abdominal
Thoracic
Extremities including dislocation and fracture management
Head injuries
Neck and spine
Pediatric non-accidental trauma
Domestic violence

Vaginal bleeding

Abortion including threatened, complete, incomplete
Ectopic pregnancy
Placenta previa
Placental abruption

Weakness/dizziness

CVA including embolic, hemorrhagic, thrombotic
Vertigo

Wound care

Irrigation
Local anesthesia
Primary closure
Tetanus prophylaxis

-Develop the following procedural skill sets taught with appropriate supervision, through either actual or simulated patients:

ECG interpretation
Interpretation of cardiac monitoring
Peripheral intravenous access
Pulse oximeter
Nasogastric tube placement
Wound closure
Splint application
Venipuncture
Chest tube insertion
Endotracheal tube placement

-Develop a management plan for the evaluation and treatment of the patient:

Understanding of the mechanism of action and use of common ED medications including:

Antibiotics
Vasopressors
Pain medications
Cardiac medications
Sedatives
Induction agents
Paralytics

Appropriate disposition including:

Discharge from the ED
Hospitalization
23 hour observation
Nursing home
Hospice

Health promotion

Discussion of preventable illness and injuries Education of patients insuring comprehension of:

Outpatient treatment plans
Medication use
Follow-up

-Interpret the results of common diagnostic procedures and tests (laboratory and radiology).

-Effectively use available information technology to solve patient care problems, improve knowledge base, and develop case presentations

II. Interpersonal and Communication

It will be expected that the student will demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills essential to emergency medicine, including:

Effective communication with patients and family members, including those from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds Present cases in a complete, concise and orderly pattern Clearly delineate primary problems and management plan Complete documentation when indicated in an accurate, well organized form that is appropriate for the level of care provided

III. Professionalism

It will be expected that the student will demonstrate the following humanistic qualities essential to emergency medicine, including:

Compassionate and nonjudgmental behavior to all patients Work in a collegial manner within a health care team

The student will demonstrate professional medical behavior and personal behavior through the ability to:

Maintain professional boundaries with patients including physical, sexual
financial and emotional
Be conscientious, on time and responsible
Exhibit honesty and integrity in patient care
Practice ethical decision making abilities
Maintain courtesy and professionalism with staff, colleagues, consultants,
patients and families
Maintain patient confidentiality
Demonstrate scholarship in the form of contributing to a positive learning
environment, collaborating with colleagues and performing selfassessment
and self-directed learning
Continually assessing one’s strength and weaknesses and be willing to
accept supervision and constructive feedback

Objectives PDF