Specialty: Infectious Disease

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 195

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Where will the rotation take place: This inpatient and outpatient US clinical experience will take place in Houston approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. 

 

Hours: Monday 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Tuesday 8:30 AM to 1 PM; Wednesday 8:30 AM to 5 PM; Thursday 8 AM to Noon; Friday 1 to 4 PM

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is an inpatient and outpatient experience during which you will be under the supervision of a  board-certified infectious disease physician. Among the hospitals where he holds staff appointments include Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, and St. Luke's Health - Sugar Land Hospital among others. He has served prominent roles in these hospitals through his work on the infection control and antibiotic stewardship committees, and has led as Chief of Infectious Disease at one hospital. He is sought after for his expertise in the field and has been featured in the news and on television addressing hot topics in infectious disease. He is presently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Sam Houston University.

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This clinical experience is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in learning about the evaluation and management of patients with a wide variety of infections. Since this rotation has a large inpatient component, students will understand how evidence-based care is delivered to hospitalized patients with community-acquired and hospital acquired pneumonia, urinary tract infection, sepsis, cellulitis, endocarditis, and other infections. With the rise in antibiotic-resistant infections, emphasis will be placed on proper use and prescribing of antibiotics, a relevant concern to all practitioners but especially for primary care physicians who prescribe nearly 1/2 of all courses of antibiotics. You will learn to prescribe antibiotics only when they are needed, and to use these agents at appropriate doses and duration. 

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In the outpatient setting, you will encounter common infections seen in an infectious disease practice. Please note that this physician also practices internal medicine for the HIV patients in his clinic. 

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Another part of this rotation is the wound care clinic. Rotators will have the opportunity to see patients in hospital-based wound clinics. Since wound care receives relatively little attention during medical school education, this will be an excellent opportunity to learn how different wounds are evaluated and managed. 

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​After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient encounters and learn the following under the preceptor’s supervision:​

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• Taking patient histories.

• Performing medication reconciliation and adjustment during encounters with patients.

• Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Writing or entering notes (Practice Fusion EMR)

• Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

• Teaching other team members.

• Spending time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and responsibilities.

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The activities above will mostly take place in the outpatient setting. As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational.

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You will receive regular feedback on your performance. 

 

​Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Surgery since infectious disease problems are commonly encountered in these specialties.  ​

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​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.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine