Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Internal Medicine in Baltimore

Information about this clinical experience:

You will be under the supervision of an experienced physician educator who is board certified in Internal Medicine. The attending has many years of experience educating international medical students and graduates. As an IMG, the preceptor was fortunate to rotate with dedicated mentors before residency. The physician is now committed to offering the next generation of IMG physicians the same opportunities. The attending holds hospital appointments at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Medstar Harbor Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Howard County General Hospital.

In this practice, you will encounter patients coming to see the doctor for a range of issues, including acute complaints, chronic disease management, and annual wellness visits. You will be encouraged to carefully consider data obtained from the patient encounter to form an assessment and plan for discussion with the preceptor. This is a valuable exercise to help you refine your diagnostic reasoning as being able to formulate assessments and plans and defend your rationale will be expected of you as a future resident. 

The preceptor is a strong proponent of patient education. You will learn how every encounter with a patient is an opportunity to educate and counsel. Physicians who make this a priority have stronger relationships with their patients and this, in turn, can help patients remain adherent to treatment recommendations. 

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

• Taking patient histories.

• Performing exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Helping write or enter progress notes.

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

• Educating patients.

• Delivering talks about important topics.

• Teaching other team members.

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

Please note that rotators will also work closely with the preceptor's nurse practitioner.