LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLERKSHIP
FCH 806
Course Department, Number & Title: FCH 806, Local Health Department Clerkship
Course credit or length: 2 Weeks only
Course director and contact information: Michael Kilkenny, MD, 304.523.6483,
Course Coordinator and contact information:Glenna Michael, 304.691.1191,
LOCATION:Cabell-Huntington Health Department, 703 Seventh Avenue, Huntington WV25701 –
Please contact Laura Johnson at 304-523-6483 ext. 248 for your schedule prior to the beginning of the elective.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce the Senior Medical student to the local health department and the public health issues confronting the agency. The student will participate in disease investigation and contact tracing as it happens in the community. The student will also accompany sanitarians during restaurant, school, daycare, or nursing home inspections and participate in immunization clinic, family planning, STD, and TB clinics.
COURSE GOAL: To expose the senior student to thearea of public health service and the implementation of public health policy to improve the health and quality of lives for their patients and community.
GRADE MODE:This is an Honors/Pass/Fail course.
Institutional Objective
Patient Care - Students must demonstrate the ability to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
Course Objective
The student will better understand the role of the health department in preventing diseases and the importance of timely reporting of communicable diseases to the health department.
Outcome Measure
The student will participate in at least two immunization clinics, and at least one family planning, STD and TB clinics. The student will alsoorally present to the faculty member at least two preventable communicable disease topicsand demonstrate an understanding of the importance of timely reporting of communicable diseases to the health department, disease prevention tools, and prevention treatment tools. Examples of the topics may include but are not limited to:
• Outbreak investigations
• Hepatitis control
• MRSA surveillance
• HIV/AIDS
• Influenza prophylaxis
• HPV
• Human West Nile Virus
Course Objective
The student will demonstrate knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Outcome Measure
The student will participate in at least one STD clinic and orally present to the faculty at least five key points about Sexually Transmitted Diseases found in the United States and be able to identify how the diseases are spread, common symptoms, and how the diseases can be treated. The student will also identify the steps taken to identify and contacting sexual contacts.
Course Objective
The student willlearn appropriate steps to take in diagnosing and treating patients with active tuberculosis, and the appropriate management of contacts.
Outcome Measure
The student will participate in Tuberculosis clinics to learn appropriate steps to take in diagnosing and treating patients with active tuberculosis, and the appropriate management of contacts, including skin testing and prophylactic treatment.
Institutional Objective
Medical Knowledge-Students must demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological and social-behavioral sciences, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care.
Course Objective
The student will be knowledgeable about the importance of immunizations in children and adults.
Outcome Measure
The student will participate in at least two immunization clinicsto become knowledgeable about the importance of immunizations in children and adults. The student will orally demonstrate to the faculty knowledge of the importance, recommendations and guidelines for pediatric and adult vaccinations.
Institutional Objective
Interpersonal and Communication Skills - Students must demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, and health professionals.
Course Objective
The student will communicate effectively with health department officials, sanitarians, patients, and parents of pediatric patients, and others.
Outcome Measure
The faculty will observe the student communicating effectively with health department officials, sanitarians, patients, parents of pediatric patients, and others.
Course Objective
The student will communicate with patients or the parents of pediatric patients about the benefits of immunizations.
Outcome Measure
The faculty will observe the student communicating with patients or parents of pediatric patients about the benefits of immunizations.
Institutional Objective
Professionalism- Students must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.
Course Objective
The student must behave in an ethical, responsible, reliable and dependable manner.
Outcome Measure
The student will be directly observed by faculty and residents to determine ethical behavior, reliability and level of dependability of the student.
Institutional Objective
Systems-based Practice - Students will be able to recognize and better understand the role of other health care professionals in the overall care of the patient.
Course Objective
The student will understand the Department of Health’s regulations to learn of its impact on everyday life.
Outcome Measure
The student will participate in restaurant inspections and be involved in investigations regarding environmental issues (water supply testing/septic tank, water wells, tattoo and body piercing studios, etc.) to learn of the impact of the Department of Health’s regulations upon everyday life.
Basic Science Objective
The student will develop and refine their abilities to apply an understanding of epidemiology, study design, pathophysiology, anatomy, and clinical pharmacology, where appropriate.
Outcome Measure
When appropriate, the faculty will assess the student’s knowledge and ability.
Self-Directed Learning
As a medical student, you are encouraged to useany unstructured time as a time to read about your patients, research questions that arise during the day, prepare for case conferences, and prepare for student-faculty rounds. Preceptors have been specifically asked to look for evidence that you have read articles and books between clinic sessions. Use this time to build your knowledge of medicine and learn from your patients.
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Preceptor Evaluation of criteria below – 100% possible, must receive 85% to receive Honors
The preceptors’ evaluation will be based, but are not limited to, upon the following factors:
- Clinic attendance and participation in assigned activities
- Conferencespecial health events or outreach clinics attendance
- Demonstration of knowledge and skills outline in course objectives
- Maturity and Professionalism
• Oral Case presentation/patient workup
Each of the above components must be passed in order to successfully complete the course. Remediation is at the discretion of the course director.
ATTENDANCE POLICY; INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY; ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students are responsible for making sure they are aware and understand updated University policies with respect to attendance and academic integrity. These policies are available for review through the medical school web site. Students are expected to be present every day of the elective and anything less than 80% will result in an incomplete with makeup required for credit.
MUJCESOM Policies: All medical students taking this course will comply with School of Medicine policies given at
Individual policies can be found at the following websites:
Student Infectious Material Exposure:
MS-IV Attendance:
Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Academic Standards Policy:
Policy for Students with Disabilities:
University Computing Services’ Acceptable Use Policy:
Affirmative Action Policy:
pp. 16-17
Inclement Weather Policy:
Notification of delays and cancellations of classes are posted on the Medical Education Home Page when Marshall University Main Campus is not in session
Required Reading/Other Material:
As assigned and provided by the Course Director.