Combined Inpatient and Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Cardiology in Houston in Houston

Information about this clinical experience:

During this rotation split between the inpatient and outpatient settings, you will be under the supervision of a cardiologist with over three decades of experience practicing cardiology. As a voluntary faculty member at two medical schools, the Baylor College of Medicine and McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Houston, this physician has helped early medical students develop their clinical skills. The preceptor is on staff at hospitals within the HCA Healthcare System.

On weekdays, rotators will split their time between the outpatient and inpatient setting. The day will begin in the outpatient practice where up to 15 patients will be seen per day. At noon, the student will accompany the doctor to the hospital where the physician serves as Chief of Cardiology. At the hospital, learners will be exposed to a socially and medically challenging patient population where they will observe how a seasoned cardiologist performs new patient consultations on a range of patients with different cardiac complaints and problems. Following hospital rounds, you will return to the clinic to see the afternoon patients.

A unique feature of this rotation is “office hours” which take place on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. During this time, rotators will be able to discuss topics with the preceptor and ask questions. The preceptor may give short talks on highly relevant areas such as EKG interpretation. With a background in pharmacology, this physician also strives to help students understand the mechanisms of drug action and the evidence that forms the basis for our treatment recommendations.

This physician has held numerous leadership positions in major medical associations. Working with this preceptor will be a golden opportunity to understand how physicians can advocate for the profession and for their patients at the local, state, and national levels.

During your experience, you will learn the following U.S. medical practices under the preceptor’s supervision:

• Taking patient histories.

• Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Writing clinic notes (simulated notes for the preceptor’s review and feedback)

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

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