Syllabi: Health, Care, and Society III

INSTITUTION: Albany Medical College

PROGRAM CO-DIRECTORS: Wayne N. Shelton, Ph.D., Co-Director (email: wshelton@ccgateway.amc.edu);
Liva Jacoby, Ph.D., Co-Director (email: ljacoby@ccgateway.amc.edu)

ENROLLMENT: Third-year Medicine; required

SEMESTER: 1999-2000

Health, Care and Society III

1996 - 1997

Description of HCS Modules

"Health, Care and Society" will be included in all six clinical rotations. The HCS Modules in each rotation are described below.

Objectives:

1. To further develop the knowledge and analytical skills acquired during HCS I and II in an applied manner.

2. To deepen the student's sensitivity to HCS topics and issues as they arise in their clinical experience.

1. Pediatrics

The HCS sessions are conducted by the Pediatrics faculty and will focus on ethical decision making in the pediatric setting. There is a monthly Pediatric noon time Ethics Conference which students will be expected to attend.

2. Obstetrics/Gynecology

The HCS session is one and a half hour class discussion on professional obligation and abortion. We will discuss a required article which describes a professional ethical model and each student twill be encourage to develop some sense of their views about this important topic. A short paper is required for the end of the rotation.

3. Surgery

The HCS session is a one hour discussion on informed consent. Students are expected to discuss encounters they have experienced or observed and to bring a brief write up of the case to the meeting.

4. Family Practice

The HCS activities are conducted by Family Practice Faculty. Special attention will be given to HCS topics as they relate to family systems issues. Each student will be required to do a genogram.

5. Medicine

The students in the rotation will be divided up into three smaller groups. A faculty preceptor will be assigned to each of the three small groups. Students will be given the chance to raise significant issues in their recent clinical experiences, and to discuss them with their peers and preceptors. The groups meet every other Tuesday for one hour. A short paper is required for the second to the last session.

6. Psychiatry

The HCS session will be an hour and a half class meeting which focuses on two cases presented by students. The ethical issues in the cases will be analyzed and discussed.

Requirements:

1. Each student must pass all six HCS Modules in each rotation in order to receive an overall grade of Pass in HCS for the year. A failing grade in any Module will require remediation.

2. Attendance will be required in all HCS sessions, except for segments of rotations taking place outside Albany. Failure to attend meetings without a valid excuse in any clerkship will result in a failing grade.

3. A short paper is required for the Medicine and OB/GYN rotations.