urogynecology acting internship

Title of Clerkship: UroGynecology Acting Internship

Elective Year(s): Fourth-Year Elective

Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Type of Elective: Clinical

Clerkship Site: ProMedica Toledo and Flower Hospitals and Parkway Surgery Center

Course Number: OBGY 724

Blocks Available: All

Number of Students/Block: 1

Faculty: Dr. Nadine Kassis  

Elective Description/Requirements: The Acting Internship in UroGynecology is a 4-week clinical rotation during which students participate in the evaluation and treatment of middle-aged and mature women with concerns related to pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction.

The Acting Intern (AI) premise is one that provides the opportunity for a student to develop medical and surgical skillsets in UroGynecology. The context also stresses the more active role of a student in the diagnosis, workup, and management of these conditions within a controlled-learning environment at the UroGynecology office as well as in the Operating Room. The AI will be observing pessary fittings and urodynamics procedures - and will be involved in patient identification, findings, and case analysis. Furthermore, the AI will join the pelvic floor physical therapist sessions where treatments for management of pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction are offered. Related education will be provided by the involved doctor in pelvic floor physical therapy. Through this exposure, the AI will further develop interpersonal and communication skills with members of the healthcare team as well as with patients/families. The AI is expected to contribute to the patient plan development based on high-quality, safe, evidence-based, cost-effective and individualized care.  

Day-to-day activities include the following: evaluation of new patients, writing notes on patients, patient presentation to faculty, short presentations when in clinic regarding topics pre-selected by the course mentor, assisting in surgical cases.  There will be two-night calls (presumably Thursday night).  Dates to be determined with Clerkship Coordinator.  There is a potential for development of a research project such as a case report or higher-level research projects.  

Length of Clerkship: 4 weeks

Links to Core Competencies/Educational Course Objectives: At the end of this elective, the student will be able to:

1. Present an independently obtained focused and comprehensive UroGynecologic patient history. (EPOs: PC-1)
2. Perform independently, a focused UroGynecologic physical examination. (EPOs: PC-1)
3. Prepare organized, focused, and accurate oral patient presentations. (EPOs: IPC-1, IPC-2)
4. Document a clinical encounter in the electronic health record. (EPOs: PC-1)
5. Integrate diagnostic and clinical information to formulate a primary and complete differential diagnosis. (EPOs: PC-6, PC-7, MK-4)
6. Develop a management plan with diagnoses to be addressed in order of importance to the patient and while meeting her expectations. (EPOs: PC-6, PC-7, PC-9, SBP-5, IPC-3)

7. Explain how different pelvic organs are involved with patients who present for UroGynecologic care. (EPOs: MK-1)
8. Identify normal and abnormal pelvic anatomy during operative cases. (EPOs: MK-1, MK-4)
9. Perform basic surgical skills ([including knot-tying (single and two-handed) and surgical instrument handling (needle holder and pickups, surgical scissors)]. (EPOs: PC-5)
10. Identify the impact of social factors such as race, food insecurity, medical comorbidities on urogynecologic care whether from a conservative management or surgical care standpoint. (EPOs: SBP-1, SBP-2, SBP-3, SBP-4, SBP-5, SBP-6, PB-1)
11. Incorporate feedback, self-reflection and improvement into daily practice. (EPOs: PBL-1, PBL-3)

Professionalism: UT/COM students will meet or exceed the institutional standards for professionalism as stated in the current Educational Program Objectives and the current Educational Course Objectives for the Sponsoring Department.

Instructional Methods:

1. Clinical Experiences – Operating Room time with faculty and office participation with faculty and certified pelvic floor physical therapist.
2. Conferences – attend Grand Rounds, M&M, journal club, and applicable resident didactic teaching sessions.
3. Independent learning (assigned readings)
4. Patient presentations to faculty

Evaluation Methods:

1. Clinical performance (Preceptor evaluation(s))
2. Participation (surgical knot tying, suturing, completion of required readings, competition of case logs)
3. Clinical documentation review (Completion of a minimum of two new patient history and physicals examinations).

Prerequisites: Successful completion of required clerkships in Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Clerkship Director: James Van Hook, MD

Clerkship Coordinator: Tammy Brittian
Phone Number: 419.291.3122
Email: tammy.brittian@utoledo.edu

Special Requirements: None 

ECC Approved
June 2024