Overview of the Cardiology Rotation at Overlook Medical Center

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 OMC but not necessarily on campus) and may or may not be traveling to OMC 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 Cardiology elective introduces 4^th year medical students to clinical cardiology and helps develop proper techniques in obtaining cardiovascular histories and examinations; to develop a differential diagnosis and appropriate diagnostic plan; to gain basic knowledge of electrocardiography, cardiac catheterization, angioplasty, ultrasound, electrophysiology studies, and various modes of therapy, including indications, contraindications, and complications.

Learning Experience:

Students will:

• Read EKGs with cardiologists to gain experience in this modality,
• Round in the CCU and hospital inpatient units,
• Spend time in cardiology practices
• Participate in diagnostic test performance and interpretation; medical and interventional therapy; and consultations, including pre- and post-operative cardiac surgery care
• Be exposed to the catheterization laboratory; electrophysiology studies; nuclear cardiology; CT angiography; open-heart surgery; and research projects

Students are welcome to attend daily House Staff Conference and Noon Report

Goals & Objectives:

• To provide the student with an introduction to clinical cardiology
• To develop proper techniques for obtaining a cardiovascular history and skill in the cardiovascular examination
• Discuss how to develop a differential diagnosis and appropriate diagnostic plans
• To gain basic knowledge of cardiac testing and procedures
• To foster knowledge in EKG interpretation

Feedback & Evaluation

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