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atlanta family medicine
OUTPATIENT EXternship IN family medicine
Specialty: Family Medicine
MD2B Connect Physician ID # 134
Where will this rotation take place: This hands-on outpatient rotation will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.
Hours: Monday through Tuesday 9 AM to 5 PM; Thursday 1 to 5 PM; Friday 10 AM to 3 PM
What you will do: Please note that this is not a shadowing observership experience. This is a hands-on clinical experience. You will be under the supervision of a highly experienced family physician known for the relationships he buiilds with his patients. He has educated international medical graduates from all over the world, and is dedicated to helping learners grow through experiences in his practice. Recognizing that learners are at different stages in their education, he encourages them to share what they hope to get from their clinical experience. He feels that this is an important conversation to ensure that he is able to meet the needs of each learner.
Notable features of his background include:
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Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Morehourse School of Medicine
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Former Clinical Dean of an international medical school
In his family medicine office, you will see a largely adult population presenting with acute disease and chronic illness. Although most of your time will be in his office, you will also visit a mental health center once a week to provide primary care to patients with psychiatric problems, including depression, bipolar disorder, shizophrenia, and ADHD. Since most patients with psychiatric disease will initially present to their primary care physician, he believes that this is an important part of his rotation.
This preceptor is also involved in the care of foster children. There may be opportunities to visit foster care centers during the rotation to provide health care to a group that often lacks it. This will be an excellent opportunity to understand the health challenges these patients face due to their backgrounds.
You may also have the opportunity to visit the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia where the preceptor serves as Medical Director. This will give you a better understanding of how family medicine physicians can impact organizations in the community. Students may also learn how to perform hemoglobin electrophoresis in the foundation's lab.
Please note that your Friday responsibilities will vary depending upon the needs of the preceptor and your own specific interests, and may include such things as taking part in didactics and quizzes, reviewing modules, clinical trials, or community service such as COVID testing. We encourage you to share your interests with the preceptor early in the rotation so that you can define your Friday activities.
After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient care under supervision:
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You will take patient histories.
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You will perform physical exams under the physician's supervision.
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You will present patients.
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You will write or enter notes.
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You will research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.
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You will educate patients.
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You will spend time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities.
You will receive regular feedback on your performance.
Please note that you will also be asked to give a presentation at the end of the rotation.
Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking hands-on patient care experience in family medicine.
Will a letter of recommendation be offered: Yes, assuming that the IMG meets the expectations of the rotation. Dr. Desai will provide the physician with guidelines which will improve the quality of the letter. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft.
During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.
ATLANTA FAMILY MEDICINE TESTIMONIALS
"This is a doctor in the true sense (doctor = teacher). It was a pleasure to do my externship under his supervision. He emphasizes on staying up to date with advances in medicine and on the fact that doctors are students forever. He is very knowledgeable and always made it a point to explain and demonstrate clinical signs in every case that we saw. His sensitive and caring attitude towards patients and colleagues taught me how I should be, as a specialist. He provided a work environment which is conducive to learning and growing. His work teams at both the primary health clinic and the mental health clinic, were also very supportive. Clinical exposure to a wide variety of cases, firsthand experience in history taking and clinical examination and electronic data entry. An experience to have insight into the department of family medicine."
- Samyukta
"Working with the doctor was a privilege. On the first day of the rotation, he asked me what I wanted to gain from this rotation. I told him that I wanted to improve my presentation skills along with physical examination. Throughout the rotation, I was given ample opportunity to work on that...I was also able to engage with medical students and teach them the basics regarding various cases we had seen; that also helped boost confidence in preparing for residency. Additionally, I was given opportunity to do other useful, but often neglected skills, such as blood drawing, urine testing, and injections."
- Neil
"This was a great rotation that allowed me to take my time to interview patients. The preceptor truly cares about students and has a lot of compassion towards patients. I have learned a lot from his humility, kindness, and patience."
- Chelsey
"The doctor is very supportive in teaching and creating a good learning environment. During the rotation, I am very comfortable with asking questions and presenting the cases as I know that the doctor will fully support me. Whenever I did anything not right, he would teach me the necessary knowledge and give me an article about the problem for me to read. Rotating with him is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had in the country."
- Nguyen