Doctoring

 

Table of Contents

    Faculty

    Doctoring Curriculum Director

    Gary M. Rull, MD, FACP

    Doctoring Curriculum Team

    Mick Lynch, MD

    Susan T. Hingle, MD, FACP

    Doctoring Curriculum Coordinator

    Lynn Rheinecker, Pharm.D., BCPS 

    Leslie Montgomery, RN, MS
    217-545-2230

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The Doctoring Curriculum is both an orientation to Year 2 and a continuation of the four-year Doctoring Streamer that began in Year 1. The introduction provides background information that will be built on through the cases, resource sessions, and clinical experiences in the four Year 2 units (Hematology, Immunology & Infection; Cardiovascular, Renal & Respiratory; Neuromuscular and Behavior; and Endocrinology, Reproduction, and Gastrointestinal). The streamer continues its focus on the Doctoring cornerstones: Clinical Skills, Geriatrics, Medical Humanities (including the ethical and legal aspects of medicine), and Physicians' Attitudes and Conduct (PAC). 

    Doctoring Curriculum Objectives

    The Doctoring Streamer runs through all four years of medical school and provides opportunities for students to acquire clinical skills via a documented system of procedures, skills, and clinical experiences. Doctoring activities include peer and self-assessment skill-building, physician attitude and conduct sessions (PACs), clinical skills development, and medical humanities issues (including physician/patient relationship, ethics, death and dying, and practice management).

    Students are assigned to physician mentors in years one and two who work with them as they develop and build their clinical skills. In each of these years, students usually work with the same mentor for the entire academic year.  In addition, second-year students are mentored by fourth-year students as part of the Doctoring Curriculum requirements.

    In addition to the geriatric concepts integrated into all four years of the curriculum, special initiatives based on the program “Aging Across the Curriculum” have been developed to address significant issues germane to the older patient population.  Through experiences with older standardized patients, interactive sessions, and small group discussions, students address a myriad of topics critical for providing proficient health care services to an aging population.  Thanks to a grant from Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, focused geriatric sessions help students develop the caring attitudes needed to competently and compassionately care for this burgeoning older population.

    Year 1 Objectives

    Medical Documentation and Presentation Skills
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate the ability to fully document a Comprehensive History and Physical (H&P) Examination on one patient each academic unit, according to the Gold Standard for Comprehensive History and Physical Exam and Screening Head-To-Toe Physical Examination.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to relay relevant data about a patient via Oral Case Presentations, one per academic unit, using the cases of the patients written up in the Comprehensive H&P. 
    3. Demonstrate the ability to develop an appropriate Problem List.

    Physical Exam Skills
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate competency in the performance of the elements of the Comprehensive Screening Physical Exam as listed/discussed in the Gold Standard for Comprehensive History and Physical Exam and Screening Head-To-Toe Physical Exam. 
    2. Apply basic anatomy and physiology knowledge to the physical exam.
    3. Demonstrate universal precautions during patient and SP encounters.
    4. Demonstrate appropriate use of exam room equipment (e.g., stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, sphygmomanometer, reflex hammer, tuning fork, etc.).

    Clinical Reasoning Skills
    Student will:

    1. Apply basic pathophysiology and understand of cardinal manifestations of disease in formulating a differential diagnoses list.
    2. For each condition, demonstrate an understanding of the clinical definition, the history, physical exam, and ancillary (if necessary) findings required to make the diagnosis of the disease.
    3. Use targeted questions and physical exams to narrow the differential diagnosis.
    4. Provide a reasonable (4-6 items) differential diagnosis for the common chief complaints that arise during the academic units.
    5. Understand the role that prevalence plays in formulating a reasonable differential diagnosis.
    6. Demonstrate ability to research current medical literature to ensure the differential diagnoses and definitions of conditions are according to current evidence-based guidelines.

    Professionalism and Patient/Physician Relationship
    Student will:

    1. Adhere to SIU guidelines on Dress and Decorum in the clinical setting and PDL.
    2. Maintain a professional environment by respecting patient modesty and boundaries, use of appropriate draping, and non-intrusive note taking.
    3. Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity during patient encounters and interactions with other health care professionals (nurses, clerks, etc.).
    4. Respect the patient's rights and privacy and maintain the confidentiality of patient information.

    Integrated Medical Interview

    Patient-Centered Interviewing
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate communication techniques to enhance the physician-patient relationship and elicit the patient story (e.g., active listening, body language, open-ended questions, avoiding medical jargon, non-judgmental atmosphere, showing empathy, showing interest in and understanding of the patient story).
    2. Explore the meaning of illness to the patient.

    Clinician-Centered Interviewing
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate full exploration of the chief complaint (onset, duration, location, character, relieving and exacerbating factors, etc.).
    2. Demonstrate other components of comprehensive medical history-taking including past medical history, sexual history, family medical history, social history, financial history, and review of systems.
    3. Obtain information from other sources (e.g., family, significant others, medical records).
    4. Provide smooth closure to the patient encounter.
    5. Understand the intricacies that patients may face when navigating the health care system, including the hardship of paying for health care.

     Physician-Self Care and Personal Development
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate life balance and recognize personal limits.
    2. Engage in wellness behavior and model a healthy lifestyle.
    3. Identify techniques to identify and manage personal stress.

    Societal Context of the Practice of Medicine (and Preventative Medicine)
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate an understanding of human growth and development.
    2. Recognize healthy lifestyle choices in preventing illness and disease.
    3. Explore human sexuality and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections.
    4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the roles of other health care providers.

    Complementary Alternative Medicine
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate how to elicit a history from a patient about their use of these therapies.
    2. Demonstrate understanding and respect of cultural/ethnic influences on health beliefs and health care choices.
    3. Develop the ability to inquire into patients’ use of these therapies in a non-threatening, non-judgmental manner.

    Year 2 Objectives

    Medical Documentation and Presentation Skills
    Student will:  

    1. Demonstrate the ability to document seven Comprehensive History and Physical Examinations during the second year, six Clinic Notes and one Hospital Progress Note according to the Gold Standard for Comprehensive History and Physical Exam and Screening Head-To-Toe Physical Examination.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to relay relevant data about a patient via oral case presentations tailored to the audience and the clinical setting. 
    3. Demonstrate proper use of EHR during patient encounters and in HPI and SOAP note construction.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to develop an appropriate problem list in all patient notes.
    5. Demonstrate proper prescription writing and basic order writing.

    Physical exam skills
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate competency in the performance of the elements of the Comprehensive Screening Physical Exam as listed/discussed in the Screening Head-To-Toe Physical Exam with the addition of male and female genitourinary, rectal, and female pelvic and breast exams. 
    2. Apply basic anatomy and physiology knowledge to the physical exam.
    3. Demonstrate an appropriately focused history and physical examination.
    4. Demonstrate universal precautions during patient and SP encounters.
    5. Demonstrate appropriate use of exam room equipment (e.g., stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, sphygmomanometer, reflex hammer, tuning fork, monofilament, etc.).

    Basic clinical skills
    Student will understand the theory behind and:

    1. Demonstrate safe patient transfers using proper body mechanics.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique when measuring blood pressure.
    3. Demonstrate proper administration of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections.
    4. Demonstrate proper sterile gloving procedure.
    5. Demonstrate proper insertion and removal of intravenous catheters.
    6. Demonstrate proper technique for venipuncture for blood collection.
    7. Demonstrate proper insertion and removal of urinary catheters.
    8. Demonstrate proper technique for suture and staple removal.
    9. Demonstrate proper technique for wound care and dressing changes.
    10. Demonstrate proper technique for collecting specimens (throat, nasopharyngeal, wound, rectal and eye).
    11. Demonstrate proper technique for nasogastric intubation.
    12. Demonstrate proper technique for hemoccult testing.
    13. Demonstrate proper technique diabetic foot exam.

    Clinical Reasoning Skills
    Student will:

    1. Recognizing severity of illness and provide basic life support.
    2. Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills in formulating differential diagnoses and solving diagnostic problems using information gathered in the medical history and physical exam, epidemiology and pathophysiology knowledge, and the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. 
    3. Recognize sensitivity and specificity of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging.
    4. Demonstrate understanding of when laboratory  tests and diagnostic imaging are indicated, not indicated and/or contraindicated.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanism behind laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging.
    6. Demonstrate appropriate interpretation of results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging.
    7. Demonstrate ability to research current evidence-based literature.

    Professionalism and Patient/Physician Relationship
    Student will:

    1. Adhere to SIU guidelines on Dress and Decorum in the clinical setting and PDL.
    2. Maintain a professional environment by respecting patient modesty and boundaries, use of appropriate draping, use of chaperones, non-intrusive note taking and providing for family comfort/seating.
    3. Demonstrate empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity during patient encounters and interactions with other health care professionals (nurses, clerks, etc.).
    4. Explore potential conflict of interests with the health care industry encountered by health care professionals.
    5. Recognize how actions online may negatively affect one’s professional reputation among patients and colleagues and undermine public trust in the medical profession.
    6. Participate in mentor clinic, accepting responsibility for patient care (under supervision).
    7. Respect the patient's rights and privacy and maintain confidentiality of patient information.

    Integrated Medical Interview

     

    Patient Centered Interviewing
    Student will:

    1. Demonstrate communication techniques to enhance the physician-patient relationship and elicit the patient story (e.g., active listening, body language, open ended questions, avoiding medical jargon, non-judgmental atmosphere, showing empathy, showing interest in and understanding of the patient story).
    2. Explore the meaning of illness to the patient.
    3. Learn to identify and respond to patient empathy cues.
    4. Develop strategies for taking a medical history from individuals from different ethnic, racial, or cultural backgrounds, geriatric patients, patients with intellectual or physical disabilities, patients experiencing confusion or altered level of consciousness, hostile patients, pediatric patients, patients requiring an interpreter, and patients experiencing psychiatric conditions.
    5. Identify and respond effectively to patient nonverbal cues.
    6. Demonstrate sensitivity related to women’s and men’s health issues.
    7. Demonstrate sensitivity related to age-related health issues.
    8. Utilize practical approaches to delivering bad news.
    9. Recognize patient anxiety, stress, and depression and adjust interviewing techniques appropriately.

    Clinician Centered Interviewing
    Student will:

    1. Determine and fully explore the nature of the patient’s chief complaint/condition and associated concerns.
    2. Demonstrate other components of comprehensive medical history-taking including past medical history, comprehensive genitoreproductive history, family medical history, social history, financial history, and review of systems.
    3. Demonstrate the ability to gather information from other sources (family, significant others, medical records).
    4. Demonstrate ability to prioritize elements of the history.
    5. Develop skills to pace patient encounters effectively.
    6. Learn to maintain control of the interview, redirecting conversation when appropriate.
    7. Identify and minimize distractions that can negatively impact the patient encounter.
    8. Demonstrate proper interview closure including review and recap of the pertinent findings, eliciting patient questions, planning a management strategy with the patient, and utilizing teach-back technique to help verify understanding.
    9. Demonstrate how to access EHR records for critical information.
    10. Identify how to respond to patients who utilize the internet as a source of information about their symptoms and/or diseases.

    Physician self-care and Personal Development
    Student will:

    1. Continue to develop work-life balance and recognize personal limits.
    2. Engage in wellness behavior and modeling a healthy lifestyle.
    3. Identify techniques to identify and manage personal stress.

    Societal Context of the Practice of Medicine (and Preventative Medicine)
    Student will:     

    1. Recognize physicians’ role in eliminating health disparities through a better understanding of racial inequity and culturally sensitive medical care.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of geriatrics medicine in today’s medical practice and effective communication strategies when caring for elderly patients.
    3. Explore the unique needs of individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities and the effects on accessible health care and preventative health behaviors.
    4. Demonstrate respect of individual patient’s views and wishes during palliative and end-of-life care within a complex health care delivery system.
    5. Demonstrate understanding of patient’s unique cultural and spiritual diversity while promoting a holistic approach to patient care at the end-of-life.
    6. Demonstrate therapeutic, professional communication skills when interacting with patients and their families regarding end-of-life issues.
    7. Describe the relationship between health literacy and the quality and safety of care.
    8. Discuss the legal, ethical and professional standards for medical decision-making in the treatment of adolescents.
    9. Recognize, provide interventions, and communicate effectively with patients experiencing intimate partner violence.
    10. Demonstrate an appreciation of the roles of other health care providers.
    11. Explore processes for analyzing and reporting errors in clinical practice and participate in root cause analysis.
    12. Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills when discussing medical errors with patients and families.
    13. Demonstrate an appreciation for the financial cost involved in laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging in today’s health care system.

     

    Year 3 Objectives

    Student will:

    1. Discuss important ethical, historical, and legal perspectives on the physician-patient relationship.
    2. Identify legal rights and responsibilities within the physician-patient relationship, with emphasis on the standard of care and professional liability in the context of medical malpractice litigation.
    3. Describe ethical and legal principles that give rise to and shape the doctrine of informed consent as well as the informed consent interchange between physician and patient.
    4. Discuss ethical and legal considerations that bear upon privacy and confidentiality within the physician-patient relationship.
    5. Describe the value of meaningful communication between physicians and patients in the clinical setting and its importance in strengthening the physician-patient relationship.
    6. Identify and discuss issues of bias that affect the physician-patient relationship.
    7. Discuss the clinical, ethical, legal, and psychosocial aspects of decision-making relative to withholding/withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from patients who are terminally ill or permanently comatose.
    8. Describe clinical, ethical, and psychosocial considerations that bear upon assessment and treatment of pain in situations where patients are terminally ill, with emphasis on palliative care and hospice care.
    9. Discuss ethical and legal issues arising out of the controversy surrounding physician participation in assisted death.
    10. Describe ethical, legal, and policy considerations relating to organ donation and transplantation as an aspect of the physician-patient relationship.
    11. Demonstrate therapeutic, patient-centered communication skills when interacting with patients and their families to develop an end-of-life care plan.

     

    Year 4 Objectives

    Student will:

    1. Discuss the physician’s role in the administration of justice, with emphasis on describing an overview of the judicial process, including physician involvement as an expert witness in civil and criminal litigation.
    2. Explain the legal and professional structures that regulate the conduct of physicians as expert witnesses.
    3. Evaluate how physicians participate in civil litigation through an evidence deposition.
    4. Describe the health care system in the United States, discussing its strengths and inadequacies, and comparing it with other health care systems.
    5. Describe the economics, financing, and cost of health care in the United States.
    6. Discuss policy issues of access to and availability of health care for vulnerable populations in the United States.
    7. Explain the concept of parity for mental health care services and describe social and economic barriers to achieving parity.
    8. Discuss issues in ensuring quality in medical practice and patient-centered clinical decision-making in the context of the current health care environment.
    9. Compare ethical, legal, and policy issues arising in fee-for-service medicine and in managed care.
    10. Describe how geographic "hot spots" of poor health can be targeted for medical intervention on a community level.
    11. Describe common scenarios where intraphysician conflicts can arise and discuss strategies to address them.

     

    All Years

    Professionalism
    Student will:      

    1. Recognize the following issues that could affect a patient's management and modify management as appropriate:
      1. Legal issues (e.g., informed consent, malpractice)
      2. Ethical issues (e.g., confidentiality, truth-telling)
      3. Conflict of values between the patient and the community
      4. Psychosocial issues
      5. Religious issues
      6. Cultural issues
    2. Project a professional image in manner, dress, grooming, speech, and interpersonal relationships that is consistent with the medical profession's accepted contemporary standards in the community.

    Physician/patient relationship
    Student will:

    1. Treat the patient as a person, not a disease; and understand that the patient is a person with values, goals, and concerns which must be respected and which may influence how the patient responds to his or her disease and its management.
    2. Respect the patient's rights and privacy and maintain confidentiality of patient information
    3. Interact with the patient in a way that will allow the patient to feel he/she has received medical care that was provided in a caring, compassionate, and humane manner.

    Physician self-care and personal development
    Student will:

    1. Behave in a self-motivated, responsible, reliable, and dependable manner.
    2. Demonstrate personal integrity, honesty, and self-discipline.
    3. Recognize personal limitations, whether they are intellectual, physical, or emotional, and work with or adapt to them.
    4. Demonstrate the professional and emotional maturity to take appropriate steps to resolve tensions and conflicts that occur among professional, personal, and family responsibilities, seeking professional help if necessary.
    5. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and exercise sound judgment.
    6. Provide patient care without allowing personal biases to interfere.

    Complementary Alternative Medicine

    1. Knowledge
      1. Students will understand how to elicit a history from a patient about their use of these therapies.
      2. Students will understand how to search available medical resources to determine the safety and efficacy of such therapies.
    2. Attitudes
      1. Students will understand and respect cultural/ethnic influences on health beliefs and health care choices.
      2. Students will be able to discuss with patients their use of such therapies as a necessary part of finding a common ground when practicing patient-centered integrative medicine.
    3. Skills
      1. Students will develop the ability to inquire into patients' use of these therapies in a non-threatening, non-judgmental manner.
      2. Students will develop the ability to provide complete and balanced patient education to those patients inquiring about these complementary/alternative therapies.