Medical College of Georgia

  A-Z Index | MCG Home | Site Search 

Clerkship Educators Page

Goals and Objectives

Mission:

The mission of the Clerkship in Obstetrics and Gynecology is to introduce students to the scope of practice within the realm of Women’s Heath while providing students with core clinical knowledge and basic skills, the success of which will ultimately be measured by the degree of confidence and sensitivity with which MCG graduates approach the gender specific needs of their female patients.

Curricular Design

In support of the mission, the clerkship curriculum was developed in accordance with national recommendations and guidelines as applied to the MCG objectives for medical students and outlined in the clerkship goals.  The clerkship goals therefore provide an integrated approach to outlining a “way of knowing” women’s health, obstetrics and gynecology. These goals identify core experiences, skills, knowledge and behaviors that are further developed in specific measurable objectives that define success for students on the clerkship. The educational committee and the faculty review the curriculum, goals and objectives on an annual basis.

Correlation of Clerkship Goals with the Medical Student Objectives

The mission, goals, and objectives of the Clerkship within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were constructed to correlate with the Medical Student Objectives of the Medical College of Georgia with respect to female gender specific care. The faculty, residents and all off site preceptors are provided with multiple opportunities to review the clerkship goals and objectives throughout the year. Formats include Grand Rounds, resident didactic presentations, Faculty meeting presentations, site visits, the 'Scope Newsletter and the website.

Measurable Outcomes and Accountability

Student Assessment

All students are assessed from multiple standpoints to determine the success of curricular design in achieving the stated goals. All students develop a portfolio which is maintained in the clerkship office for one year beyond graduation.

The portfolio contains:

1.      End of clerkship Shelf Examination Scores

2.      Examples of documentation of history, physical and differential diagnosis

3.      Other Core Clerkship assignments

4.      End of clerkship MiniOSCE skills and oral examination reports

5.      Procedure log

6.      Documentation of SPEL diagnosis exposure

7.      Clerkship Clinical Evaluations

8.      Final Grades

9.      Nursing feedback

10. Midterm feedback

11. Other

Clerkship Assessment

Objective evidence of success in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the clerkship are primarily related to the mission of the clerkship. Experiences, skills and knowledge in women’s health receive primary focus in the evaluation of the clerkship curriculum. This evidence is provided through shelf/board scores and the end of rotation oral and MiniOSCE examinations. Core clinical knowledge and skills are measured by national standards.

In addition, student evaluations of faculty and curriculum both anonymous and solicited are used to identify areas that may require additional attention. To help students focus on understand and achieve the clerkship goals and objectives, additional input from the students is obtained. Whenever appropriate, rapid response to student feedback is achieved. Examples of such rapid change include revamping the website, WebCT and student didactics to formats that are meaningful and useful to the students.

GOAL I:   PRACTICE PREVENTIVE CARE AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN AN AMBULATORY SETTING

Measurable outcomes include

Quantifying participation /diagnoses in SPEL:

1.      Routine ambulatory prenatal care

2.      General gynecologic ambulatory care

Quantifying participation in procedures on Green Card.

1.      Breast and pelvic examinations

2.      Collection of gynecologic specimens

Completing Core Clinical Assignments that assess patient care skills:

1.      Documenting comprehensive histories including female specific and sexual histories  

2.      Synthesizing a problem list with appropriate differential diagnoses

3.      Establishing the connection between tests  and physical findings with the likelihood of a particular diagnosis

Demonstrating skills in a MiniOSCE/ Skills/Oral Exam

1.      Demonstrating  “painless pelvic” technique

2.      Proficiency in performing basic breast examination

3.      Obtain gynecologic specimens using best practice techniques

4.      Identifying and implementing age appropriate or gestational age
  appropriate screening procedures

Assessing knowledge skills attitudes and behaviors through Clinical Evaluation

GOAL II: ACQUIRE THE CORE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR THE CLERKSHIP IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY

Measurable outcomes of this goal include:

Demonstrating general knowledge:

1.      Pass the end of clerkship shelf exam

2.      Pass the end of clerkship oral  examination

Demonstrating targeted  knowledge and skills in four areas of special focus:  abnormal PAP smear results, postmenopausal bleeding, risk for ectopic pregnancy and breast mass evaluation on the MiniOSCE/Oral exam:

1.      Recognize common presentations associated with each problem

2.      Perform basic counseling that informs the patient of the condition
   and need for follow-up

3.      Explain the evaluation and work-up for the condition

4.      Refer a patient with the condition

GOAL III: IMPROVE CLINICAL COMMUNICATION   SKILLS

Measurable outcomes for this goal include:

Demonstrating skills and knowledge as tested on the oral exam/ MiniOSCE:

1. Proficiency in basic counseling regarding common  health concerns in women
2. Performing basic counseling   on issues such as:  contraception choices, prevention of STI, smoking cessation, advanced maternal age, exercise and nutrition in pregnancy, immunizations as well as common pregnancy concerns
3. Accessing patient education  tools that enhance patient understanding

Assessing knowledge skills attitudes and behaviors through Clinical Evaluation

GOAL IV: PRACTICE RISK ASSESSMENT IN WOMEN

Measurable outcomes of this goal include:

Demonstrating knowledge and skills on the oral exam/mini OSCE exam

1. Use  screening tests to identify women at risk for depression, abuse or sexual dysfunction
2. Describing interventions in situations as severe depression and domestic violence

GOAL V:  APPRECIATE LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH

Measurable outcomes of this goal include:

Demonstrating knowledge and skills as tested on the oral exam/MiniOSCE

1. An understanding of basic informed consent
2. An approach to  the principles of clinical ethics to deal with issues such as informed refusal

Assessing knowledge skills attitudes and behaviors through Clinical Evaluation

1. Ability to recognize ethical dilemmas in Women’s Health
2. Insight into recognizing  the potential impact of personal bias 

GOAL VI: PARTICIPATE IN OBSTETRIC CARE

Measurable outcomes of this goal will be measured by:

Quantifying participation in a procedure log:

1. Ambulatory and In-patient prenatal care
2. Caring for patients on labor and delivery
3. Attending at least one vaginal delivery
4. Management of common conditions during  the postpartum period

Providing documentary evidence of other experiences

1. Spending  the  second stage of labor with at least 2 patients
2. Demonstrating an understanding for the variations in labor
3. Performing  basic lactation counseling

Assessing knowledge skills attitudes and behaviors through Clinical Evaluation

GOAL VII: PARTICIPATE IN INPATIENT CARE   AND GYNECOLOGIC AND OBSTETRIC PROCEDURES

Measurable outcomes of this goal will be measured and demonstrated by:

Quantifying participation in a procedure log

1. Treatment of problems commonly seen in general obstetrics and gynecology.
2. In inpatient and outpatient procedures
3. In the care of hospitalized women
4. In preoperative, surgical and post procedure care

Assessing knowledge skills attitudes and behaviors through Clinical Evaluation

 Obstetrics and Gynecology | School of Medicine | Medical College of Georgia
Phase III Curriculum Resources Home
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to

July 12, 2007