Course Syllabus

First-Year Curriculum

Michael Herkov, Ph.D.

First Semester: Communication and Interviewing Skills

Texts:

Coulehan, JL & Block, MR (1987). The Medical Interview: A primer for students of the art. FA Davis & Company: Philadelphia.

*Myerscough, PR (1989). Talking with patients: A basic clinical skill. Oxford University Press: New York. This book is available on reserve at the library

Lecture:

Special Interviewing Issues - M. Herkov, Ph D: Old Dogs and New Tricks - Geriatric Interviewing (*Chapter 12)

Goals:

• To provide the student with information regarding the special nature of conducting a geriatric interview.
• To provide the student with specific interview techniques for conducting a geriatric interview.

The interview process will address the setting in which the elderly may be interviewed. The needs for good lighting and quiet environment will be stressed.

The relevance of family history, substance abuse, sexual activity will be stressed as will the lack of a specific complaint. The vagueness of the elder patient's presenting symptoms is the rule rather than the exception.

The fear of institutionalization may hide symptoms to avoid being "put away." Patients should be informed that the goal is to do everything possible to ensure the patient's independence. Memory problems may also limit the accuracy of reporting.

There will be small group tapings in several sessions exploring history, review of systems, PMH, FH. These will be monitored by faculty, critiqued and reviewed in the Harrell Center.

Second Semester: Human Behavior

Text:

Sierles, FS (1993). Behavioral Science for Medical Students. Williams & Wilkins: Baltimore. (The text is required for the course.)

Lectures:

Geriatric Development Problems of Advancing Age Chronic Pain Death and Dying EPC Small Group: Hospice Presentation EPC Small Group: Interview of Geriatric Patient Psychiatric Assessment and Mental Status Cognitive Disorders

Goals:

The Human Behavior course is designed to provide the student with a broad-base understanding of the complexities of human behavior from conception to death. Students will learn how behavioral factors affect mental and physical health from a biopsychosocial perspective. The course will also prepare students for National Board Medical Examination (NBME) Human Behavior Section given at the end of the second year.

The first part of the course will focus on the major theories of human behavior, genetic and biological influences, and early development The second module will examine adult and geriatric development and specialty topics associated with this part of the life span. The last section looks at abnormal behavior and treatment interventions.

Competency expectations for the first-year student upon completion of the courses in Communication and Interviewing Skills and Human Behavior:

• Demonstrates knowledge of or appropriately Inquires about family and support systems.
• Demonstrates knowledge of or applies an understanding of cultural diversity in health care delivery.
• Accurately assesses a patient's expectations and assumptions in accessing the health care system.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and applies an understanding of psychological, social, and economic factors which are pertinent to the delivery of health care
• Effectively engages the patient and/or family in verbal communication

Second year curriculum
Third year curriculum
Fourth year curriculum
Curriculum in Geriatric Medicine