Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Internal Medicine in New York

Information about this clinical experience:

You will be under the supervision of a board-certified internal medicine physician who has an extensive background in teaching. The doctor is Voluntary Faculty at Columbia University and Montefiore Health and has served as a preceptor for health professions students.

The preceptor is known for having a wonderful bedside manner and is well regarded for the amount of time spent with patients, attentiveness to their concerns, and compassionate nature. The physician will be an excellent role model for rotators seeking to refine their skills in delivering patient-centered care.

Rotators participating in this experience will have the opportunity to be a part of a medical team that is providing much needed services in the Bronx. There are significant health disparities in the Bronx as the area has a high poverty rate. Of note, there are 80% fewer physicians in the Bronx when compared to neighboring Manhattan. As a result, patients are often diagnosed with illnesses at an advanced stage. Having established a practice in the Bronx many years ago, this preceptor has been committed to reducing health disparities in the area.

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 and reviewing patient information in EMR (Practice Fusion).

• 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.

Of note, 50% of the patients seen in the practice are Spanish-speaking. The clinic staff speaks fluent Spanish, and the preceptor is well-versed in medical Spanish. For students who are not Spanish speakers, this will be an excellent opportunity to learn how to provide optimal care when there is a language barrier, something that resident physicians in the U.S. commonly encounter in most training programs.

Please also note that the doctor works closely with a nurse practitioner and other colleagues. Part of your Monday of every week will be spent working with other staff members so that you can appreciate how interdisciplinary teamwork can enhance the quality of care that is provided. This will also give you the opportunity to understand their roles and responsibilities.