Specialty: Gastroenterology

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MD2B Connect Physician ID # 89

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Where will the rotation take place: This US clinical experience will take place in Washington, DC. Please note this rotation involves time spent at different locations. Therefore, transportation will be needed (either your own or via Uber or Lyft).​

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Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM (Thursday off)

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Hours have been provided by the preceptor. Hours are subject to change at the preceptor’s discretion, but the minimum total hours will remain approximately the same.

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What you will do: This is an outpatient experience during which you will be under the supervision of a highly regarded physician educator who is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He is the former Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Providence Hospital. In that role, he was heavily involved in the education of medical students, international medical graduates, and residents. He remains passionate about educating future doctors and is excited to offer an opportunity through his gastroenterology practice. He holds hospital privileges within the University of Maryland Medical System.

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In his practice, he sees the full spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders and offers the latest in medical and procedural interventions. Among the procedures he performs include upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy, ERCP, PEG, ad esophageal pH monitoring. 

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The physician takes hospital call one week out of every four weeks. During that week, you will have the opportunity to accompany him to the hospital where you will round on patients with acute gastrointestinal issues. Because this is a teaching hospital and the attending is sometimes involved in resident teaching, you may have the opportunity to interact with residents. 

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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:​

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• Taking patient histories.

• Examining patients under supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Helping write or enter clinic progress notes.

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

• Being involved in patient education.

• Observing GI procedures. 

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

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You will receive regular feedback on your performance. 

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There may be opportunities to take part in projects to improve the physician's practice. Examples include developing patient handouts, creating informational pages for the practice website, and writing case reports of interesting patients. Please note that the availability of these projects is at the discretion of the preceptor. 

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Who should consider this rotation: International medical graduates (IMGs) and students seeking US clinical experience in Internal Medicine or Gastroenterology. 

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How to obtain a letter of recommendation: The rotator should ask the preceptor for a LOR near the conclusion of the rotation. Dr. Desai has provided the physician with guidelines about best practices in letter writing that meet residency program requirements. In some cases, the preceptor may ask the rotator to write a letter of recommendation draft. 

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​During the rotation: Our team will be checking in periodically with you to ensure that you are having an optimal experience. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions during the rotation.

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See Where Our Students Applying to Internal Medicine Have Received Interviews or Matched

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Read Dr. Desai's Interview with Dr. Roy Ziegelstein (Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Former Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center) about How to Match Successfully in Internal Medicine