Pediatrics and Human Development

Adolescent Medicine Elective (PHD 601A)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Be comfortable with adolescent patient interaction in the outpatient setting and have developed techniques and skills with which to accomplish an appropriate interview and examination
  • Be familiar with normal adolescent patterns of physical and psychosocial development
  • Be aware of the common medical needs and concerns of adolescents as well as the current medical and social issues which impact the health and well-being of this patient population

Students are assigned to a physician and a clinical psychologist. They will see patients in the adolescent medicine clinic, juvenile justice system, a run caway shelter, and a public health clinic. Enhancement of diagnostic and therapeutic skills in the context of adolescent physical, psychological, and psychosocial development will be stressed. Students participate in all resident and student conferences. Due to the various sites used, students must have automobile transportation available.

Ambulatory Pediatric Elective (PHD 602)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Demonstrate improved pediatric physical assessment and management skills
  • Be able to assess optimal growth and development in infants, children and adolescents
  • Understand the triage process for sick children

Students are assigned to the MSU/KCMS Pediatric clinic and are under the supervision of the general pediatric faculty. The rotation offers the opportunity for newborn experience and involvement in ambulatory clinical research projects. A guided review of pertinent topics will be coordinated and attendance at pediatric conferences is required.

Neonatology Elective (PHD 604)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Recognize the needs of normal premature infants
  • Be familiar with the management of problems associated with high risk and sick newborns
  • Know the basic resuscitation skills used in the delivery room

This rotation offers students the opportunity for exposure to neonatal techniques and care patterns for the sick neonate. Students are assigned to the Bronson Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is the tertiary care unit for Southwestern Michigan with a staff of five neonatologists. Night call experience will be arranged during the elective.

Pediatric Endocrinology Elective (PHD 606)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Understand processes of normal growth, be able to assess growth in all pediatric age groups, and be familiar with the evaluation and treatment of growth disorders
  • Understand the State Screening Program for Endocrine disorders of newborns, the treatment and long term care of these disorders, and how to work with parents of children identified by the screening program to allay fears and help them understand the necessary care for their infants
  • Have a solid grasp of the need for a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes mellitus in children

A busy endocrinology clinic (two and a half days a week), a diabetes clinic (two full days), plus a once-a-month, daylong CMS diabetes clinic will afford an opportunity to see most kinds of endocrinopathies that affect infants, children, and adolescents. Hospitalized patients are seen in consultation as well.

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Elective (PHD 607)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Understand the physiologic basis underlying age-specific hematologic and coagulation norms and be familiar with peripheral blood and bone marrow smears
  • Learn the historical, physical and laboratory findings diagnostic of hematologic or oncologic abnormalities and recognize the hematologic findings in disorders of other organ systems
  • Be acquainted with the strategies of oncologic treatment, management of complications, and with toxicities associated with chemoradiotherapy
  • Be familiar with the known chromosomal and molecular genetic abnormalities underlying hematologic/oncologic diseases, including the familial cancer syndrome
  • Understand the hereditary, genetic, protein and laboratory abnormalities associated with congenital bleeding dycrasias, and become familiar with long-term health issues in these patients
  • Be acquainted with the psychological and emotional aspects of childhood cancer and chronic hematologic disorders, and be involved in family genetic counseling sessions

As a member of the pediatric hematology-oncology team, the student participates in evaluating outpatients, rounding on the inpatient hematology-oncology service and performing inpatient consultations. Selected procedures may be performed (lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations). The pediatric hematology-oncology faculty will provide the student with a study outline and reading materials. Independent projects may be arranged.

Pediatric Intensive Care Elective (PHD 601C)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Be familiar with the assessment and management of complex pediatric patients
  • Understand basic pediatric emergency skills and triage
  • Be familiar with procedures used in the PICU

The PICU elective is a subinternship taught at a tertiary pediatric center. Students are assigned to the staff of pediatric intensivists and participate in the management of critically ill children. Teaching rounds and conferences are required.

Pediatric Pulmonary Elective (PHD 608)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should

  • Understand basic pediatric pulmonary physiology and pulmonary function tests
  • Understand the pathophysiology of asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other pediatric pulmonary diseases
  • Demonstrate skill in the basic management of childhood asthma, cystic fibrosis and others

The elective includes both inpatient and outpatient care, consultations, exposure to procedures and research. Students have the opportunity to participate in the treatment of a variety of patients with both acute and chronic pulmonary problems including cystic fibrosis, asthma and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Students participate in pediatric conferences and a list of required readings will be provided.

Subinternship in Pediatrics (PHD 601D)

Prerequisite

Basic Pediatric Clerkship (PHD 600)

Fourth Year Medical Student

Objectives

Upon completion of the elective the student should improve physical assessment and management skills

  • Improve physical assessment and management skills
  • Recognize the critically ill and toxic child
  • Understand fluid and electrolytes and routine orders in pediatric patients

Students serve as a subintern on the inpatient pediatric service and are supervised by the pediatric faculty. Night call is every fourth night and conference attendance is required.