The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Phone: 423-778-7515

Location: Erlanger Health System
Size: 4

This is a face to face clinical rotation offered in the fall and spring and receiving 14 credit hours
The M-3 OB/GYN Clerkship in Chattanooga is organized in an eight-week block:

• 
  Two weeks on the obstetrical service
  
• 
  Two weeks on the gynecologic service
  
• 
  One week on the gynecologic oncology service
  
• 
  One week on Night Float
  
• 
  Two weeks of OB/GYN clinics
  

From 2 to 6 students can be scheduled for the clerkship per eight-week block. The purpose of this core clerkship experience is to learn and understand the basic principles and practice of obstetrics and gynecology and develop a general understanding of women’s health.

Clerks will have two weekend call responsibilities during the rotation. Students are expected to attend rounds, conferences and lectures associated with the respective services. The rotation involves both inpatient and outpatient care of obstetrical and gynecologic patients, including assisting and/or performing related procedures such as deliveries, ultrasounds and office procedures as well as major gynecology cases.

During the clinic weeks, students work in both private and resident offices. Reproductive-endocrinology and Maternal-Fetal experiences are also part of these weeks. Each student will spend a half-day with a radiologist reading mammograms and also join a community worker for a home visit to a patient participating in support programs.

Assignment of grades is based on clinical performance (determined by evaluations from residents and staff) and scores on the written examination administered at the end of the rotation. Each student will also give a short presentation to peers and the clerkship director. Weekly quizzes help students to pace required reading.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology sponsors a comprehensive four-year residency program for 16 residents (4 residents at each level.) For other information about our clerkships (housing, meals, etc.) or residency programs, go to www.utcomchatt.org.

Approval Authorization required:

• 
  This rotation can be half-time OBG3-3011/H.
  
• 
  Time off for Interviews:
  
• 
  Off cycle start and stop:
  

• 
  This rotation can be half-time OBG3-3021/H.
  
• 
  Time off for Interviews:
  
• 
  Off cycle start and stop:
  

The number of patients per week for whom the student will have some responsibility are 20. Students will round daily with the gyn oncology team which consists of a resident and the attending. They will assist in surgery, inpatient management of pre-op and post-op patients and provide some patient care in the outpatient clinic setting. Students will work under the direct supervision of UT faculty. All patient care is closely supervised. Departmental didactics are held from 7am to 11am each Friday morning. The student will be expected to attend those sessions as well as Tumor Board. From 6am to about 6pm daily M-F.

• 
  This rotation can be half-time OBG3-3022/H.
  
• 
  Time off for Interviews:
  
• 
  Off cycle start and stop:
  

• 
  This elective can be half-time OBG3-4011/H.
  
• 
  Time off for Interviews:
  
• 
  Off cycle start and stop:
  

The number of patients per week for whom the student will have some responsibility are 30. The student will evaluate patients in an outpatient settings and then present the patient to an attending who will critique the care. Students will be able to evaluate clinic patients alone and then “check them out” to residents and attendings. All clinics will be supervised by an attending who is present. The student will join in the departmental didactics on Friday mornings from 7am to 11am and attend the Mortality and Morbidity Conference. Research opportunities are available for interested students.

Course Coordinator: Jeanie Dassow, MD

Location: Erlanger Health System

Size: 1
This is a face to face clinical rotation offered in the fall and spring and receiving 7 credit hours.

This course will expand upon the students' third year OB/GYN Clerkship and give the student increasing responsibility. Basic OB and GYN skills, both inpatient and outpatient, will be strengthened. Prior to the beginning of the month, the clerk will work with Dr. Dassow to tailor the 4-week experience to achieve their particular learning goals. Experiences in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, urodynamics, maternal-fetal medicine, GYN-ONC and private general OB-GYN practice are all possible. Students may spend time in the OR and on L&D as well as in the office. Rural outreach clinic is also an option. Participation in the Night Float team, opportunities for skills lab and mammography are also available. Each Friday morning the student will participate in didactics. This experience is ideal for students considering a residency in OB/GYN as well as those interested in learning more about women's health.

Course Coordinator: C. David Adair, MD

Location: Erlanger Health Systems (UT College of Medicine Chattanooga Campus), including the
private office of the course director (Regional Obstetrical Consultants or “ROC”)

Size: 1
This is a face to face clinical rotation offered in the fall and spring and receiving 7 credit hours.

1. 
   Enhance doctor-patient relationship by providing care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for treatment of healthcare problems by:
   
   1. 
      Communicating effectively and demonstrate caring and respectful behaviors when interacting with patients and their families.
      
   2. 
      Gathering essential and accurate information from patients involved in the research studies.
      
   3. 
      Furthering a patient’s understanding of current recommendations for use of specific tests which will aid in diagnosing medical conditions.
      
   4. 
      Providing appropriate education and counseling to patients who are willing to enroll in a research study.
      
   5. 
      
      
2. 
   Work with other healthcare professionals, including those from other disciplines, to provide patient-focused care.
   

1. 
   Further the student’s understanding of current research involving maternal fetal medicine.
   
2. 
   Further the student’s understanding about the role of clinical research in enhancing patient care.
   
3. 
   Learn and understand different research designs.
   
4. 
   Learn to appropriately utilize research designs to develop a research study in an area or specialty of interest.
   
5. 
   Learn and understand about different types of statistical analysis and when it is appropriate to use and apply each to research data.
   
6. 
   Understand and perform all medical tests and procedures relevant to the area of study involved in the research project.
   
7. 
   Demonstrate an investigatory and analytical thinking about that area of study.
   
8. 
   Apply basic and clinical sciences where appropriate about that area of study.
   

1. 
   Assist the student in investigating and evaluating patient care practices as they relate to research.
   
2. 
   Help the student to appraise and assimilate scientific knowledge as it applies to the research and how it may improve patient care practices.
   
3. 
   Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to the research.
   
4. 
   Apply knowledge about study designs and statistical methods related to the research data obtained.
   
5. 
   Access on-line medical databases when searching for research studies that would be appropriate for your area of interest.
   

1. 
   Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, their families, and professional associates.
   
2. 
   Create and sustain a therapeutic and ethically sound relationship with patients.
   
3. 
   Use effective listening skills by eliciting and providing information using effective non-verbal, explanatory questioning, and writing skills.
   
4. 
   Work effectively with others as a member or leader of a healthcare team or multidisciplinary professional group.
   

1. 
   Demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to a diverse patient population.
   
2. 
   Demonstrate the highest standards of respect and accountability in research that includes obtaining informed consent, following research protocols, accurate recording of data, correct use of statistics in specific research projects, and reporting data in the appropriate manner.
   
3. 
   Demonstrate a commitment to patient confidentiality.
   

1. 
   Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system of healthcare and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care that is of optimal value.
   
2. 
   Understand how patient care and other professional practices affect other healthcare professionals, the healthcare organization and the larger society and how these elements of the system affect current practices.
   
3. 
   Practice cost affective healthcare and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care.
   
4. 
   Advocate for quality of patient care and assist patients in dealing with system complexities.
   
5. 
   Know how to partner with healthcare managers and healthcare providers to assess, coordinate, and improve healthcare.
   
6. 
   Know how these activities can impact system performance.
   

The number of patients will vary from week to week. The student will be seeing patients who have been appropriately screened for inclusion/exclusion criteria for various research projects.

The student will be speaking to patients who have been appropriately screened by other healthcare professionals. The student will be discussing, educating, and obtaining informed consent from patients for the specific research study, and will be performing appropriate medical procedures for the collection of research data.
The student will receive appropriate education about the ongoing research studies by the MFM research coordinator at the Regional Obstetrical Consultants office (ROC). The student will be chaperoned and observed by the appropriate healthcare professionals when obtaining medical consent for the research study and when performing any medical procedure or conducting any medical tests for the research study. In the hospital setting, the student will be overseen by the appropriate healthcare professional or resident while performing the activities described above.

The student will meet weekly with the course director to discuss:

1. 
   Progress of research studies,
   
2. 
   Review data obtained,
   
3. 
   Research designs and application,
   
4. 
   Role of statistical analysis in research, and
   
5. 
   Other indicated conferences during the four-week research rotation.
   

The student will be analyzing samples obtained from consented patients for a resident’s research project. The student will be working with the resident to analyze research data and assist the resident in writing up the findings of the research performed.