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Physician ID:

328

Hours:

Monday – Friday 8:30 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.

Location: Houston

This combined inpatient and outpatient US clinical experience will take place in Houston approximately 65 miles north of downtown.

Inpatient/Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Critical Care/Pulmonology in Houston

Specialties: ICU, Pulmonology, Critical Care

Location: Houston

Price:

Hospital Letterhead: No

Faculty Appointment: Yes - Faculty Member of Family Medicine Residency Program at Sam Houston State University

Information about this clinical experience:

You will be under the supervision of a physician board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary / critical care. This physician holds a hospital appointment within the HCA Houston Healthcare System as well as other hospitals in the greater Houston area. The preceptor is an experienced educator and teaches family medicine residents at Sam Houston State University.

During this clinical experience, you will split your time between the inpatient and outpatient settings. In the hospital, you will take part in daily rounds within the intensive care unit. A wide range of patients with life-threatening conditions will be seen. The emphasis will be on learning how to stabilize, evaluate, and treat these critically ill patients while working within a multidisciplinary team. Rotators will have the opportunity to observe bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, and other procedures. To prepare for the critical care part of this clinical experience, we recommend using the following resources:

Medical Student’s Guide to the Intensive Care Unit

The ICU Survival Book

In the clinic, you will encounter the typical conditions seen in an outpatient pulmonology practice, including obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and lung cancer. Students will be able to observe how PFTs, home sleep studies, and walk tests are performed and interpreted. We recommend that you read the following articles to help you prepare for the clinical experience:

A Comprehensive Review of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

An Update on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome—A Literature Review

Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Review Focusing on Exacerbations

Going Back to the Basics: An Asthma Review

Interstitial Lung Disease: A Review

The practice has an active research focus and is a center for clinical trials. Currently, 3-4 trials are underway involving patients with obstructive sleep apnea, COPD, and lung cancer. Rotators can observe how the preceptor’s research team screens patients for enrollment, performs follow-ups, and monitors progress. As clinical trials are often done in hospitals and outpatient practices associated with residency programs, this can be an excellent opportunity to gain insight into this important area.

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

Taking patient histories under supervision.
Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.
Presenting patients.
Interpreting pulmonary function tests and thoracic imaging.
Researching the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

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

Who should consider this rotation:

International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in internal medicine. IMGs seeking careers in internal medicine, pulmonology, and critical care will also find this rotation particularly useful.

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.

Testimonials

I can say without a doubt this has been my most favourite clinical experience in my time as a medical student / graduate! Dr. X is an amazing clinician and teacher whose approach made this rotation one of the most informative experiences in my training...Dr. X encouraged active participation during rounds and patient admissions. The doctor allowed me to perform assessments and management plans before providing constructive feedback. Dr. X's explanations were clear and the doctor would always communicate clinical reasoning with me, rather than just telling me to memorize the facts. This allowed me to truly understand and remember what we saw day to day. The doctor created a very safe learning environment where I could ask any question or inquiry I had. I felt very involved every day of my rotation. Whether it was taking H&P's, writing notes or speaking during the MDR meetings, there were many options / opportunities to participate and I truly felt part of the team...Dr. X also took genuine interest in my professional growth, financial literacy as a medial professional and my career plans. The doctor's enthusiasm for teaching and patient-centered care made every day meaningful and motivating.