Internal Medicine Clerkship II

Catalog description

The Internal Medicine Clerkships are both inpatient rotations and teach the natural history, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of medical illnesses. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the understanding, skills, and attitudes desirable in a scientific and compassionate PA. Students will perform histories and physical examinations, order and interpret appropriate diagnostics studies to develop a differential diagnosis, and interpret information gathered from the patient assessment data to formulate a patient-centered treatment plan. Developing sound clinical reasoning skills is continuously emphasized. Students will provide an accurate oral presentation to the clerkship preceptors, counsel patients about therapeutic procedures, and help to coordinate medical consultations by subspecialty providers as needed to provide appropriate care. Students will follow the progress of patients throughout their hospitalization, write a note appropriate for the patient's medical record, and develop a discharge plan. When possible, students will attend medical rounds and other internal medicine conferences. To take advantage of the diverse patient populations in the Bay Area, students will spend four weeks at the Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Hospital and four weeks at another Bay Area hospital, such as Stanford Hospital or the Palo Alto VA. This results in an eight-week integrated curriculum designed to cover the essentials of inpatient internal medicine. The first Internal Medicine Clerkship course is PAS 301 and the second is PAS 302. The Internal Medicine End of Rotation Exam is a required component of PAS 301 and PAS 302 and will be held on the last Thursday of each rotation.This course is offered to students enrolled in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program only.