Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Internal Medicine/Family Medicine in Detroit

Information about this clinical experience:

This rotation will be under the supervision of two board-certified physicians. One specializes in internal medicine and the other in family medicine. These preceptors have years of experience educating medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant students. The preceptors hold faculty appointments at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. They are on staff at hospitals within Corewell Health System, including the William Beaumont University Hospital.

The clinical experience will expose learners to the practice of both urgent care and primary care. With urgent care patients, rotators will have the opportunity to learn how patients with acute urgent but not emergent disorders are evaluated and treated. These include such problems as:

• Abscesses

• Allergic reactions

• Back pain

• Conjunctivitis

• Diarrhea

• Ear infection

• Fever

• Insect bites

• Migraine

• Nausea/vomiting

• Pneumonia

• Rash

• Sinusitis

• Sore throat

• Sprains/strains

• Upper respiratory tract infections

• Vaginitis

• Wounds

As these patients are worked up for their presenting complaints, there may be indications to perform certain tests and procedures. The center has an on-site lab to do bloodwork and the capability to perform EKGs, spirometry, and strep/influenza/mono testing. Other procedures and treatments that may be performed include foreign body removal, laceration repair, suture removal, orthopedic splinting, ear flushing, and nebulizer treatments.

Primary care patients are also seen at this outpatient facility. With these patients, rotators will learn how physicians perform comprehensive or focused evaluations depending upon the reason for the visit. The preceptors believe in establishing strong bonds with these patients; therefore, this will be an excellent opportunity to understand how meaningful relationships with patients are built and cultivated.  Please note that the patient population seen in this practice includes children (> 5 years), adults, and the elderly.

The preceptors strongly believe in pushing their students to form assessments and plans. They will often ask the student what he or she would like to do next. For learners who are looking to gain experience in formulating assessments and plans, this experience will be an excellent opportunity to grow their skills in patient management. 

After a few days of observation, you will take on an increasing role in patient encounters and learn the following under the preceptor’s supervision:

• Taking patient histories under supervision.

• Performing exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Accessing EMR to obtain patient information (Allscripts and Veradigm EMR)

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

• Educating patients under supervision.

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