Specialty: Infectious Disease

​

MD2B Connect Physician ID # 259

​

Where will this rotation take place: This combined inpatient and outpatient US clinical experience will take place in Shreveport, Louisiana.

​

Hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

​

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.

Please note that the large majority of this rotation will take place at an inpatient setting. There may be up to two half-days that will take place at an outpatient setting.

 

What you will do: You will be under the supervision of a board-certified internal medicine and infectious disease physician who is on staff at multiple hospitals in the Shreveport area. The attending has had considerable experience educating internal medicine residents and students.

 

As an infectious disease specialist, this physician has expertise in the diagnosis and management of infections caused by various agents, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Students who rotate through this clinical experience will learn how to evaluate patients with acute and chronic infectious disease, analyze microbiologic data, and select appropriate antimicrobial therapy if needed.

 

To maximize learning during this clinical experience, we encourage you to read the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) Clinical Practice Guidelines. These are systematic reviews written by experts in the field that provide evidence-based recommendations that you can use to expand your knowledge and ensure that patients receive the best possible care. Since infectious disease problems will be commonly encountered during your residency, familiarity with these documents now will help you to build a strong foundation for your work as a resident. You can access these guidelines at the following:

​

IDSA Clinical Practice Guidelines

​

Of particular importance during this clinical experience is learning about the evaluation and management of more commonly encountered and potentially life-threatening conditions. These include meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, hepatitis, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections, HIV, sexually transmitted illnesses, tuberculosis, and nosocomial infections.

​

Another important objective of this clinical experience is to gain an understanding of the proper use of antimicrobial agents. The following article is an excellent resource in this regard:

​

General Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy

​

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

​

·    Taking patient histories.

·    Performing exams under the physician's supervision.

·    Presenting patients.

·    Researching the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

·    Educating patients.

·    Working with other healthcare professionals, including NPs and PAs

 

Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in internal medicine or infectious disease.  

​

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. 

 

​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.

​

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

​

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