Medical Sub-Internship in Hematology-Oncology

Catalog description

(1) Course Goals: This is an intensive experience in the care of inpatients with serious hematologic and oncologic disorders. The student learns to interpret peripheral blood films, how to use and interpret other specialized laboratory tests (e.g., bone marrow aspirate/biopsy, serum electrophoresis, coagulation studies, tumor markers, leukemia cell markers), and how to approach the evaluation and treatment of hematologic and solid tissue malignancies and their complications. (2) How Goals Are Achieved: Under supervision of a Hematology/Oncology fellow and a division staff member, the student is given considerable responsibility in the care of inpatients on one of the Hematology/Oncology or Experimental Therapeutics wards in Duke Hospital. They receive instruction and guidance in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and gain experience in the use of chemotherapeutic drug regimens. Specific issues such as quality of life, care of the aging patient with malignancy, and decisions regarding DNR status are addressed by the patient-care team. In addition, students receive a series of core lectures, receive training in chemotherapy, and attend the ongoing clinical, research and didactic divisional conferences. (3) Methods of Evaluation: Students are evaluated by their preceptors on the basis of their ability to obtain a history, perform a physical examination, evaluate hematologic and other laboratory data, and propose assessments and plans of action. Credit: 5. Enrollment: max 1. Cristiana Costa Chase, MD and Medical Oncology staff