Inpatient/Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Infectious Disease in Orlando

Information about this clinical experience:

You will be under the supervision of a board-certified infectious disease physician. The preceptor holds staff appointments within the HCA Florida and AdventHealth Hospital Systems. The physician has considerable experience teaching both internal medicine residents and medical students. Presently, the preceptor is on faculty at the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine and teaches medical students, NP/PA students, and pharmacy residents.

As a future resident, you will be called upon to evaluate and manage hospitalized patients with a range of infections. Several studies in the U.S. have shown that residents have significant gaps in their knowledge with respect to infectious disease and selection of antimicrobial therapy. In one study, 90% of residents reported the need for more antimicrobial education and 67% desired feedback on their own prescribing practices. Whether you’re caring for a patient with sepsis, hospital-acquired pneumonia, or complicated urinary tract infection, it is crucial that you assess these patients properly, select the appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and initiate treatment in a timely manner. This clinical experience will show you how to do just that.

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 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.

Over four weeks, you will alternate weeks in the hospital and clinic. The typical daily census in both the hospital and the clinic will be 15-20 patients. During your experience, you will learn the following U.S. medical practices under the preceptor’s supervision:

• Taking patient histories.

• Presenting patients.

• Writing or entering notes (access to Kareo EMR in outpatient clinic; can write simulated notes for preceptor review).

• 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.

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