Clinical Observer - Transplantation Service

Catalog description

This course is a 2-week intensive experience, offered during the Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters on a schedule set by the Division of Nephrology at UHCMC. Students are expected to be present and observe at all times set forth by the Nephrology Transplant attending and fellow, during a 40-hour week. The Objective of the course is to provide the students with the experience of observing patient care on a clinical rotation under direct supervision of a PGY-4/5 Nephrology fellow (always available) and attending nephrology physician (available during rounds) on an active Nephrology Transplant Service. Students round daily as Clinical Observers, and they will learn the basic clinical skills, including observation of kidney transplantation in the OR, nephrology history-taking in a transplant patient, physical examination (observation with another examiner), diagnostic studies, and therapeutic options. Didactic sessions on rounds cover a range of topics (e.g., basic immunology, initial care after a kidney transplant, including treatment with immunosuppression medications, radiologic imaging and biopsy of transplant allografts, acute and chronic kidney transplant rejection). As a Clinical Observer they will only observe patient interviews, examinations and procedures, and will not actively take part in any health care - he/she/they will act strictly as an observer, but also as a physiological consultant to the team by providing basic science input to the clinical cases. Attendance at a minimum of 5 renal grand rounds conferences is also required for this elective.