Overview

Course Liason

Richard Rathe, MD
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
& Associate Dean for Information Technology
Office: M130 (Secretary in CG-78)
Email: rrathe@ufl.edu
Phone: 392-6552

Course Format

• This component of Essentials of Patient Care lasts for one semester and relies primarily on student directed learning.
• With the exception of the first week, we will spend class time in a series of workshops covering the basics of each requried physical exam skill. The location for these sessions will be MDL1.
• Volunteers from the class will assist Dr. Rathe during the workshops. Dr. Rathe will meet with these students for a "huddle" a day or two before each event.
• You will find the workshops much more useful if familiarize yourself with the relevant material on the Web in advance.
• After each workshop students will have time to practice with their peers to develop their skills.
• After practicing and gaining a degree of "comfort" with the skills required for each module, students will be assigned a session in the Harrell Center to preform with supervision by Physical Exam Teaching Associates (PETAs) and faculty. Students will generally work in groups of three: one patient, one examiner and one observer. The PETAs will give feedback and "check out" each student in rotation. This is a required part of the course. There will be penalties for unexcused absences.

Resources

• Required Reading: Multimedia Study Guide
• Recommended Textbook: Bates' Guide to Physical Examination; 8th Edition; Lippincott; 1999
• The Harrell Center for Professional Development and Assessment (Phone: 392-4511)

Required Instruments

• A double-tube, double lumen stethoscope
• A blood pressure cuff
• An oto/ophthalmoscope*
• A pneumatic otoscopy (insufflation) bulb
• A reflex hammer
• 128 and 1024 Hz tuning forks
• A monofilament sensory probe
  (available through the HAC)
• A "black bag"

*These instruments are all required. You will not be allowed to participate in certain activities if you fail to bring the proper "tools." The only exception is the oto/ophthalmosope. In recognition of its expense, you may defer purchasing this apparatus until the second year. However, if you defer this purchase you must be able to borrow the equipment to practice.

Dress Code

Students are expected to come prepared for all activities. This includes proper dress:

For interviews and "patient" encounters: shoes, collared shirts and slacks for the men; blouses, slacks and/or dresses for the women. No shorts, tanktops or "flip flops."

For peer examinations: Loose clothing is best as a rule. Shorts and tank tops are okay. For the chest and abdomen exams women should wear bathing suit tops or similar "sports bras."

Evaluation

There will be a performance-based exam at the end of the semester. These exams will involve performing parts of the history and physical on standardized patients. The "check out" feature of the Harrell Center exercises is intended to serve as a practice practical. Other than specific exemptions announced by the course director, any technique or information discussed in the Multimedia Study Guide is fair game on these tests. Specific check lists will be provided to help focus your studies.