Inpatient US Clinical Experience in Nephrology in Houston

Information about this clinical experience:

During this US clinical experience in nephrology, you will be under the guidance of a board-certified nephrologist. The preceptor rounds at multiple hospitals, including Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor St. Luke's Hospital, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, Kindred Hospital, and Cornerstone Hospital. 

In this experience, you will be exposed to a wide range of patients with kidney disorders. These will include primary kidney disorders as well as systemic conditions affecting the kidney. You will learn how to evaluate and treat patients with AKI, CKD, ESRD, electrolyte abnormalities, and acid-base disturbances.

In the future as a resident, many of your hospitalized patients will have AKI. In fact, the rate of hospitalizations with AKI has been increasing. Over 50% of patients hospitalized for sepsis have AKI. While AKI is less common among patients hospitalized for non-sepsis infection and for cancer, over 20% of patients with these conditions will have AKI. As AKI is associated with higher incidence of chronic kidney disease and mortality, it is essential for physicians to have a strong understanding of how to evaluate and treat this problem. 

Recommended articles to read for this clinical experience include:

Acute Kidney Injury

Hyponatremia

Clinical Management of Hyperkalemia

Arterial Blood Gas Algorithm

Correction of Electrolyte Abnormalities in Critically Ill Patients

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 progress notes in paper charts. 

• 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.