Advanced Physical Diagnosis and Medical Decision Making

Note: This course has an enrollment minimum of six. We will be in touch with enrolled students prior to the start of the period as to whether this course will run.

Catalog Description: This course focuses on building upon the clinical skills learned in the first three years of medical school and incorporating an evidence-based approach to making high-value, patient-centered medical decisions. Students work with a variety of expert faculty to hone physical examination skills and learn critical article appraisal and presentation skills through small group work. Students will also gain an introduction to the use of point-of-care ultrasound as part of the physical examination.

Sites: 

View site addresses by clicking on the site name below or visiting the site codes table.

Required session attendance:

Typical weekly schedule/Delivery Mode: M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm

Direct patient care: No

Consent Requirement: Open to student scheduling

Course Objectives: By the end of this rotation, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the use of key terms used in diagnostic science, including precision, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios, and others.
• Critically appraise an article about diagnostic accuracy and determine how the article applies to their patients
• Discuss the basics of evidence synthesis
• Perform key physical examination maneuvers with high reliability
• Discuss and demonstrate the use of ultrasound as part of the physical examination.

Graded Components: 

• Student presentations
• Participation

Grading Scale: H/E/S/N