Inpatient/Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Gastroenterology in Raleigh-Durham

Information about this clinical experience:

You will be under the supervision of a physician who is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. The preceptor is on staff at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital and Wesley Long Hospital.  The doctor is actively involved in the education of internal medicine residents, and lectures to trainees regularly.

Rotators will gain knowledge and skills in the evaluation and treatment of a wide range of conditions in gastroenterology. Learners will develop approaches to work up common presenting complaints such as dysphagia, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bloating, pain, blood in stool, constipation, and diarrhea. The appropriate ordering of lab and imaging studies will be discussed and there will be opportunities to interpret these diagnostic tests. 

Many patients will be seen for follow-up of chronic problems such as GERD, chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease, and pancreatitis. Rotators will learn how to assess patients with these conditions, evaluate response to therapy, and make adjustments to the treatment regimen in an evidence-based manner. Some patients will require procedures, including upper and lower endoscopy, and you will have the chance to observe these procedures. 

Several days per week, you will accompany the physician to the hospital to see patients on rounds or during procedures. 

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 or entering clinic progress notes.

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

• Educating patients.

• Observing GI procedures.

• Spending time with other healthcare professionals in the office 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.