East Carolina University (Brody School of Medicine)

FIRST YEAR COURSES * Basic Human Genetics : This course presents the principles of basic human genetics. It is largely a self study course, with material presented on the web and in scheduled review sessions with genetics instructors. Material covered includes basic cytogenetics, molecular genetics, patterns of inheritance and population genetics. * Behavioral Sciences : This course focuses on the basic science of Psychiatric Medicine. Reading covers psychological and sociological aspects of human development with specific attention to the physician-patient interaction. Lectures followed by small group seminars led by psychiatry faculty are the prime teaching modality. This course also covers medical research designs, statistical methodology, and critical appraisal of the medical literature. * Doctoring : The Doctoring course integrates basic biomedical and psycho-social sciences with clinical medicine into a system for comprehensive, humanistic care. The knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for developing a therapeutic physicianpatient relationship as the fundamental unit of health care are taught. The principles of clinical diagnosis based on the medical history, physical examination, basic pathophysiology and clinical reasoning are also taught systematically through lectures, small group instruction and self-directed learning activities. Students practice interviewing and examination techniques with standardized and real patients, and acquire facility in medical communication and in formulating diagnostic hypotheses through oral and written patient presentations. The classroom, examination room, small group sessions, on-line information activities, home and community are the settings for learning basic concepts of primary care. Preceptorship experiences with faculty and community preceptors are important parts of this course. * Ethical and Social Issues in Medicine I : This course provides an introduction to basic philosophical and ethical issues in the practice of medicine. In small groups led by members of the Humanities Department and physicians, students critically examine such topics as medical oaths and codes, moral reasoning, autonomy and paternalism, patient and physician rights and responsibilities, truthfulness, confidentiality, informed consent, medical decisionmaking for children, human experimentation, and care of dying patients. * Gross Anatomy and Embryology : This course focuses on the structure and development of the human body. Students learn anatomy primarily from dissection of human cadavers and prosection demonstrations. Embryology and radiology lectures are integrated topically with the area of the body being dissected. Clinical relevance and application are emphasized * Medical Biochemistry : This course correlates biological function and molecular structure. Lecture topics and clinical examples illustrate progress from the molecular level through more complex levels of organization and function. Major subject areas include chemistry and function of enzymes and other proteins, metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids, gene biochemistry and expression, tissue and organ metabolism and regulation, and metabolism in abnormal cells. * Medical Histology : Microscopic Anatomy presents three basic areas of histology: (1) modern concepts of cell biology; (2) organization of cells and extracellular matrix into tissues; and (3) structure-function relationships in organ systems. Laboratory sessions utilize a CD-ROM that provides an excellent collection of histological images of tissue sections and electron micrographs. * Medical Microbiology & Immunology I : This course presents the principles of microbiology and immunology as they relate to human disease. Topics include immunology, virology and molecular genetics. Host-parasite relationships, epidemiology, pathophysiology of infectious diseases, preventive and prophylactic measures, and mechanisms of acquired and innate resistance to infectious diseases are emphasized. Clinical conferences with faculty specializing in infectious diseases and other disciplines emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of microbiology and immunology. Laboratory instruction emphasizes the development of skills in handling and characterizing microorganisms in cultures and clinical specimens. * Medical Neuroscience : This is an integrated course, combining principles of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and the clinical neurosciences that are appropriate for medical students entering primary care disciplines. It encompasses the anatomy and physiology of neurons in the human nervous system at organ, cellular and molecular levels. Lectures cover the synaptic and topographic relations of neurons, the distribution and function of neurotransmitters, the functional organization of the central nervous system, its development and maturation, and its response to aging and damage. The in situ relationships of the central nervous system and its coverings are correlated with several diagnostic procedures including magnetic resonance imaging. Laboratory sessions include the study of prosected human brain specimens as well as the study of images of transverse sections of brain, brainstem and spinal cord. * Medical Physiology : This course presents the basic principles of cell physiology followed by an in-depth examination of the organ systems � muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine systems. Special attention is given to the integrative nature of organ system behavior and to interactive control mechanisms. Presentation is by lectures, conferences and demonstrations. * Primary Care Preceptorship : Students spend three days as a learner in a primary care physician�s office in various locations in the state; the experience reinforces the knowledge and concepts gained in the Doctoring and basic science courses. This program is administered by the Department of Family Medicine. SECOND YEAR COURSES * Clinical Skills : The Clinical Skills course builds on the physical examination, interviewing, and critical appraisal skills introduced in the first-year Doctoring course. Students will enhance their doctor-patient relationship and interviewing skills. They will develop clinical communication skills to assist patients in adopting a healthy lifestyle. Interviewing techniques for specific populations such as the adolescent, the geriatric patient, and the difficult patient will be discussed. Students will develop their skills in the critical appraisal of the literature. Physical examination skills will be refined and new techniques learned. * Ethical & Social Issues in Medicine II : This course continues the critical examination of ethical and social issues in medicine begun in the first year. Topics include the changing health care system, access to health care, global health issues, the relation of law, medicine, and ethics, cultural competency, professional boundaries, new reproductive technologies, abortion, the maternal-fetal dyad, organ transplantation, medical futility, affirmative action in medical education, and student dilemmas. Brief lectures introduce each topic, followed by small group discussions facilitated by humanities and clinical co-instructors. * Introduction to Medicine : This is a comprehensive course correlating basic science with clinical medicine and emphasizing the interpretation of data in disease processes. It is here that students master pathophysiology of disease, learn clinical reasoning skills, develop problem lists and differential diagnoses, are introduced to diagnostic testing and begin to appreciate the multiple opportunities for preventive interventions. Integrated with the Clinical Skills course and conducted by faculty of several clinical departments, much of this course is taught in casebased seminar sessions with faculty facilitators. Lectures and self-directed learning complement and extend the curriculum. * Medical Genetics : This course expands on topics covered in the first year basic genetics course by including clinical material to illustrate basic genetic principles and application of basic science techniques to the evaluation, management, and treatment of genetic disease. The impact of genetics on families and society is explored in lectures on genetic counseling, public health genetics and ethics. * Medical Microbiology & Immunology II : This course continues presenting the principles of microbiology and immunology begun during the preceding year. Second year content includes medical bacteriology, mycology and parasitology. As with previous topics, the basic concepts of each subdiscipline are reviewed and developed into the concepts required for medical practice. Host-parasite relationships, epidemiology, pathophysiology of infection and disease, and therapeutic and preventive measures are discussed in relation to the physiology and ultrastructure of the infectious agent. Clinical lectures and small group case conferences with faculty specializing in infectious diseases and other disciplines complement the basic science fundamentals. Laboratory instruction and exercises emphasize the development of precautions and skills in handling infectious agents, proper communication with the clinical laboratory, and an understanding of the role of the clinical laboratory in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. * Medical Pathology : The first section of this course emphasizes basic principles regarding structural and functional alterations of organs, tissues and cells in the genesis and effect of disease. Topics include inflammation and repair, neoplasia, immune diseases, infectious diseases, genetic diseases and environmental pathology. The second section stresses the basic pathologies of the various body systems with emphasis on their interrelationships. Topics include the heart, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, endocrine system, nervous system, genito-urinary tract, skin and musculo-skeletal system. Instruction includes lecture, demonstrations, gross and microscopic laboratory work and caseoriented discussions. * Medical Pharmacology : The course in Medical Pharmacology provides students with the fundamentals needed to practice rational drug therapy in humans, including drug actions, interactions, clinical uses and toxicity of drugs by drug classes. The logic of using drugs optimally in particular clinical situations is emphasized using lectures, clinically-based small group discussion sessions, computer-based laboratory simulations, and self-instructional materials. * Primary Care Preceptorship : Students spend five days as a learner in a primary care physician's office in various locations in the state; the experience allows further development of skills learned in the classroom. This program is administered by the Department of Family Medicine. * Psychopathology : This course has three major sections: basic psychopathology, human sexuality, and lifestyle abuse. The first part of the course covers basic psychopathology and the diagnostic entities necessary for the practice of any medical specialty. Material for discussion in small groups comes from assigned readings and lectures. It emphasizes an eclectic approach to mental and emotional disorders as medical problems and presents treatment modalities as applicable to the nonpsychiatric physician. The human sexuality section covers aspects of the patient and the student as sexual entities and deals with interactions that may occur as a result. The lifestyle abuse section addresses lifestyle abuse in the medical profession in a thorough, multidisciplinary, patient-oriented way. The student will enter the clinical years with a well-rounded knowledge of the pharmacological, pathological and behavioral aspects of lifestyle abuse and with the ability to diagnose and treat the conditions and their complications. This course prepares the student for the third-year clerkship in psychiatric medicine. THIRD YEAR COURSES(Clinical Clerkships) * Family Medicine : The third-year clerkship allows students to participate in the academic, hospital and ambulatory practice of family medicine. During the eight-week rotation, students work in the offices of board-certified family medicine specialists at the Eastern Carolina Family Medicine Center and at other locations throughout North Carolina. Didactic sessions are provided to augment the students' patient-care experiences. * Internal Medicine : This rotation enables students to apply basic science and clinical knowledge to patient care situations. Clinical problem solving, prioritization of problems, correlation with pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and therapy is emphasized. Students are encouraged to learn by daily reading pertinent to the patient problems they are encountering on the wards. Students work with members of the total patient care team by participating in morning work rounds, assuming increased responsibility for patient evaluation and care, and assisting with common procedures. During the eight-week clerkship, each student is exposed to a balance of experiences in the major areas of medicine. Four weeks are spent on a general medicine inpatient service and four weeks on one of four subspecialty services, i.e. cardiology, nephrology, neurology or hematology/oncology. * Obstetrics-Gynecology : The eight-week clerkship introduces the student to the physiology and pathology of obstetrical and gynecological conditions, and relates these to the diagnosis and management of disease in women. Students acquire knowledge and skills in health care maintenance including preventive medicine and family planning. They also achieve competence in history taking, diagnosis and clinical management. Students develop skills in utilizing health care resources in the management of patients with disease, in preventive health care, and health maintenance. Self-study, supported by frequent small group seminars, complement the clinical experiences conducted on obstetrical and gynecological units at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the School of Medicine Outpatient Center, and county health departments within the region. * Pediatrics : Upon completion of the eight-week clerkship, students possess the skills and knowledge necessary to perform pediatric medical evaluations. Students are able to record and communicate pertinent data, and formulate and implement management plans for common health concerns for children from birth through adolescence. Preventive health principles for optimal child health are also emphasized. Students experience clinical teaching on the pediatric inpatient service and the newborn nursery of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. Subspecialty and general pediatric care are taught at the Brody School of Medicine Pediatric Outpatient Centers. Students also experience rural health in approved pediatric practices in eastern North Carolina. * Psychiatric Medicine : This eight-week clerkship consists of inpatient, outpatient and didactic experiences. The inpatient rotation is a four-week experience at Cherry Hospital (the regional state psychiatric hospital in Goldsboro) or at the psychiatric unit of Pitt County Memorial Hospital. The outpatient experience usually involves four weeks at a community mental health center or at the Brody School of Medicine Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. Some students spend four weeks at the local alcohol and drug treatment program. One day a week is devoted to didactic sessions covering psychopharmacology, psychiatric assessment, and child psychiatry plus Psychiatry Grand Rounds. Students perform psychiatric and physical work-ups on assigned inpatients and participate in the assessment and care of outpatients. The goals of the rotation are for the student to hone interviewing skills and to learn the psychiatric interventions that are expected of all non-psychiatrist physicians. The supervision of students� performance is by attending physicians and residents. * Surgery : The surgery clerkship is the core of the surgical education program. During the eight-week rotation, students serve on the general and specialty surgical services of Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the Surgicenter and the associated outpatient clinics, and rotate through private offices and emergency facilities. They assist in the diagnosis and treatment of surgical problems under the direct supervision of the surgical faculty and resident staff. Supporting the clerkship are a series of didactic lectures, rounds and conferences which emphasize the basic principles of surgical physiology, wound care and asepsis, the historical background of surgery, the diagnosis and surgical treatment of various body systems and the emotional needs of surgical patients. Included in the rotation is a course in surgical technique and experience in the operating room suites. Upon completion of the course, the student should have the basic training to evaluate the common surgical disorders and to be knowledgeable in their management. FOURTH YEAR COURSES In concert with a faculty advisor, students select an individual curriculum that includes the following: * two months in primary care experiences * one month in a surgery elective * one month in a medicine elective * one month in the "Transition to Residency" selective * four months in electives * (a one-month vacation may be taken during the first seven months of the academic year)

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School name: East Carolina University (Brody School of Medicine)
Address: 600 Moye Blvd
Zip & city: NC 27834 Greenville
Phone: 252-744-1020
Web: http://www.ecu.edu/med

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