Hematology/Medical Oncology Rotation for 4th Year Students

To meet the objectives in increasing knowledge, skills, attitude, and behavior while evaluating and managing patients with hematologic diseases and malignancies.

 

1. Knowledge:
• Students should acquire the core knowledge necessary to evaluate and manage patients with the following conditions:
• Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Polycythemia, Thrombocytosis
• Neutropenia with Fever
• Supportive Management of the Cancer Patient
• The student should understand the pathophysiology, the diagnostic techniques, and the treatment approaches for these conditions and should read appropriate books and articles on these topics.  Cancer:  Principles and Practice of Oncology by DeVita, et. al. may also be used as a reference.
2. Skills:
• The student should be able to accurately perform and record a history and physical examination.
• The student should be able to develop a differential diagnosis and suggest diagnostic and therapeutic plans.
• The student should develop skills in the interpretation of CBC’s/differentials and blood smears.
• The student should improve communications skills with patients and families using appropriate language and avoiding jargon and medical terminology.  He/she should be sensitive to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual difficulties facing patients with severe and sometimes terminal illnesses.
• The student may be able to participate in a variety of procedures such as bone marrow aspiration/biopsy, paracentesis, thoracentesis, and lumbar puncture.
3. Behavior:

The student should

• Provide compassionate and empathetic patient care in all clinical settings
• Be sensitive to the diverse factor affecting patients and their healthcare needs and beliefs including race, culture, income and ethnicity
• Develop effective communication skills with the staff, including other physicians, nurses, and social workers
4. Attitudes:

The student should be able to practice and respect patient privacy and confidentiality while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.

• The student should work and round with the Hematology/Oncology Service, and should follow at least two consults per day.
• The students should present in rounds with a complete assessment, analysis, and suggestions for plans.
• The students should expect to present at least one article during rounds every other week or present a patient to the Multidisciplinary Oncology Conference.
• The students should attend the Multidisciplinary Oncology Conference every Friday morning.
• The students should read articles related to the diseases of their patients.
• The students should attend Department of Internal Medicine noon conferences.
• The students may participate in clinics at the Southwest Cancer Treatment and Research Center as time allows.

• Evaluation is based on the review of the student case presentations, case write-ups, professionalism, and patient interaction during rounds.
• Student rotation evaluation forms will be used.

The student will be responsible for patients managed by him/her under the guidance of residents on the service and faculty. The faculty on the service will be responsible for student education and supervision.

The student should sit with the 4th year director at the end of the rotation to discuss and fill out an evaluation forms for rotation and faculty.