Course Description
Preclinical Skills Workshop/Day Camp
For those students who would like a short clinical exposure, we will have an opportunity for hands on experience in a 3-4 day workshop that will present techniques for communication with patients, clinical exam skills, and limited procedures. This workshop will take place late May or early June. There are approximately twenty-five (25) positions open for the summer. There is no stipend for these positions. The Family Medicine Department has well over 125 preceptors participating in our program statewide who offer their time and talent on a voluntary basis. Students can choose to work with their hometown family physician if he or she happens to be one of our preceptors for two weeks of shadowing and to practice some of their newly learned skills. Applications begin in March.
Student Programs held their annual Preclinical Summer Day Camp June 2-4, 2008. Fourteen students participated in the camp. Leaders for the camp were UMMC's very own Dr. Cloy, Dr. Forbes, Dr. Gearhart, Dr. Siddaiah and Dr. Tonore in the Family Medicine Department, along with Mr. Merle Dotson from the VA in Biloxi, MS. Lectures were given on topics such as, communication skills, medical history, vital signs, blood pressure, HEENT and NT, cardiac exam, pulmonary exam, breast exam, abdominal exam, musculoskeletal exam, prescription writing, suturing, venipuncture and the presentation and treatment of patients. Students really enjoyed the one on one time with the doctors and one student shadowed Dr. Turner for 2 weeks after the camp. Everyone had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed learning about family medicine.
Research Assistantship (RA)
A research assignment during the summer after the M1 year is available for 2-4 students for 8-10 weeks. Students who pursue research will work within the department for an eight-week period, where they will learn primary care design and implementation. They will also gain clinical hands-on experience. The finished research could possibly provide them with opportunities for presentations and publication. Students are selected to fill the four (4) available slots based on interviews, letters of recommendation, and interest in family medicine as a career. Students selected for a research position can expect to receive a stipend. Applications begin in March. Orientation week takes place in the first week of June and will include the Day Camp as well as introduction to Research.
Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM)
Family Medicine faculty and residents work as preceptors for M2 students during the second year as they practice and develop history taking and physical exam skills. These assignments are made by the ICM Course Director.
Family Medicine leads small group demos of physical examinations for female breast and GU, Male GU, abdomen and musculoskeletal exams and venipuncture procedures.