Inpatient/Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Nephrology in Houston

Information about this clinical experience:

This is a combined inpatient and outpatient experience during which you will be under the supervision of a board-certified nephrologist who is a dedicated teacher. The preceptor holds staff appointments at  Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital Sugar Land, and Kindred Hospital.

Following internal medicine residency and nephrology fellowship, this physician's career began with a position dedicated to the care of underserved patients. For years, the doctor was based in rural New Mexico where the doctor provided care to the American Indian (i.e., Native American or Indigenous American) population. The physician witnessed the higher incidence of end-stage renal disease in this patient population due to numerous factors, including lack of access to primary care and nephrology services. The preceptor found the work fulfilling and continues to travel to New Mexico periodically to serve these patients.

In New Mexico, the physician recognized the importance of patient education in preventing and controlling chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the impact such teaching may have on reducing the risk for the development of chronic kidney disease. The doctor brought this passion for education to patients in Houston where the doctor established a nephrology practice approximately ten years ago.

In Houston the physician has been actively involved in the education of family medicine residents from the Memorial Hermann Health System. The doctor was invited to give several lectures to the residents. The preceptor is also enthusiastic about teaching future doctors.

This clinical experience will take place in dialysis centers, outpatient clinic (2-3 times per week - Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon, and Thursday morning), and the hospital. Although the preceptor visits multiple hospitals, students will be able to visit one or two hospital locations.

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.

• Entering notes in EMR (Practice Fusion).

• Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at the point of care.

• Delivering talks about important topics in your specialty area.

• Being involved in patient education.

• Teaching other team members.

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

As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational. The hands-on component of this rotation will mostly take place in the outpatient setting.