Course Leader:     Nancy Freeman, MD

Course Location:     VAMC

When Offered:     varies

Maximum Students per Rotation:     1

Duration of Rotation:     4–8 weeks

Type of Rotation:     Ambulatory and Inpatient & Consultation Service

Prerequisites:     Clerkship in Medicine

Criteria for Passing:     Student attends most clinics, tumor boards, and special departmental conferences.  Student is on time.  He/she also may be requested to research specific areas.  He/she demonstrates an understanding of basic hematological disorders, can recognize these abnormalities, determine a differential diagnosis, and initiate a proper work-up.  Student can perform a comprehensive history and physical and can present this clearly in oral and written form.

Criteria for Honors:     Satisfactory plus independent motivation to look up/research topics and articles without being asked, and presenting these findings.  Student takes initiative in following up and evaluating patient data for superb presentations.  Student can go beyond the usual differential diagnoses, and can present history and data in a succinct, relevant manner.  Student takes initiative to evaluate social issues of the patient.

Competencies:     Ability I: advanced level, Ability II: advanced level, Ability IV: advanced level, Ability IX: advanced level, Provisionally approved

Number of Hrs/Wk of Classroom/Discussion:        2-3

Number of Nights Oncall per Week:     None

Planned Independent Projects for Students:     Occasional

Description:      This course will help to provide exposure to hematological and oncological problems.  Students will learn the basics of reading peripheral blood smears and bone marrow exams.  They will learn approaches to the evaluation of hematological issues and to the patient in terms of diagnosis, work-ups, treatment options, and social/emotional support.