Combined Inpatient and Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Internal Medicine in Chicago

Information about this clinical experience:

This rotation split between the inpatient and outpatient settings. You will be under the supervision of a board-certified internal medicine physician with years of experience educating international medical students as well as health professions students in the U.S. The physician holds hospital appointments within the University of Chicago AdventHealth Hospital System.

In the clinic, you will see patients with both acute complaints and chronic disease. For patients with acute symptoms, the emphasis will be on acquiring relevant details of the history that will allow you to develop a sound differential diagnosis and reason through this differential until you establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. For patients with chronic disease, you will learn how to assess the status of these conditions and then adjust the treatment regimen. Behavior change that is necessary to improve health can be difficult for patients to implement. Rotators that spend time with this physician will be able to take note of how a seasoned clinician supports and encourages patients to effect change.

Hospital rounds typically take place several times per week. During these rounds, you will encounter a range of patients with acute conditions and see how an experienced internist evaluates, treats, and follows the progress of these patients over time. Rotators may also have the opportunity to see patients with the preceptor in the nursing home.

On a regular basis, you will take part in what the preceptor calls a “huddle”. During this time, the team will gather to discuss interesting topics in internal medicine.

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:

• Taking patient histories under supervision.

• Performing exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Writing or entering notes in the EMR (eClinicalWorks)

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

• Educating patients under supervision.

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

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