Gastroenterology

Rotation at a Glance

Location

Medicine subspecialties are taught one-on-one by physicians who practice in the field and are a blend of outpatient and inpatient teaching experiences (depending upon the physician’s patient mix during rotation dates).  Medical students meet their preceptors at their preceptors’ offices (which may be on campus at Overlook Medical Center, or near it, but not necessarily on campus) and may or may not be traveling to Overlook Medical Center to round on patients, or for procedures.

Duration

Four weeks or two weeks, depending upon preceptor availability:

  • Four-week rotations start on the first Monday of the month
  • Two-week rotations start on the first or third Monday of the month

Offered

Year-round

Prerequisites

Successful completion of all third-year core clerkships

Description:

The gastroenterology elective provides exposure to a broad variety of gastrointestinal diseases and approaches to common in-patient and ambulatory problems.  This elective will also serve to stimulate an interest in the pathophysi­ology of the digestive system and to develop an understanding of the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of medical patients. 

Learning Experience

 

Students will:

  • Attend daily rounds with a gastroenterologist and participate in sessions in that gastroenterologist's private office seeing ambulatory patients. 
  • Be afforded opportunities to learn in the endoscopy suite where procedures such as upper and lower G.I. endoscopy, ERCP, endoscopic sphincterotomy and small bowel biopsy are done. 
  • Participate in consulta­tions, and to present a well-focused history and physical examination, differential diagnosis and plan. 
  • Use library resource material to supplement the differential diagnosis and plan. 
  • Review and interpret diagnostic testing in gastroenterology, including endoscopy, ERCP, manometry and radiologic studies. 

Students are welcome to attend daily house-staff conferences and noon report.

Goals & Objectives:

  • Provide exposure to a broad variety of gastrointestinal diseases,
  • Discuss the approach to the common in-patient and ambulatory gastrointestinal problems,
  • Stimulate an interest in the pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal system,
  • Develop an understanding of the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of these patients
  • Develop an understanding of the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis and management of medical patients

Feedback & Evaluation

Feedback and final evaluation will be done by the attending preceptor.  Students will also evaluate their preceptors and the elective.