Cardiology

Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties

  • Course Information

    Course Number: RMDN608

    Prerequisites: Completion of the Phase 2 Internal Medicine clerkship

    Length of Time: 2 or 4 weeks (depends on location)

    Phase Availability: Phase 2 and Phase 3

    Credit Type: Physician Assessed Patient Facing (PAPFE) or Open

    Call: Based on Preceptor*

  • Contact Information

    Program Director for OSF St. Anthony Medical Center: Joel Hellman, MD, FACC (jhellman@uic.edu)

    Program Director for UW Health Hospital: Mukesh Singh, MD, FACC

    Program Director for Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center: Michael Lamonto, DO, FACC

    Coordinators/Scheduling: Allison King (aking75@uic.edu), Jessica McGuire (jam226@uic.edu)

    Locations: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center (5666 E. State St, Rockford, IL), UWHealth Heart Hospital (1340 Charles St., Rockford, IL), Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (1000 Health Center Dr, Mattoon, IL)

Narrative Description: This rotation will allow the student to gain knowledge in various aspects of cardiology. Students will be exposed to Cardiology office and hospital visits, EKG’s, echocardiograms, and routine and pharmacologic stress tests. Exposure to heart catheterizations, PTCA’s, stent insertion, cardioversion, electrophysiology studies and transesophageal echo and cardiovascular surgery may occur. The student will accompany the cardiologist on all phases of the practice.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the rotation, the student will be expected to develop an understanding of the basic pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias AND exhibit the ability to:

  1. Interview patients collecting pertinent data concerning the patient’s presenting problems;
  2. Perform a complete or focused physical examination as appropriate and distinguish normal from abnormal findings;
  3. Synthesize information to develop a reasonable differential diagnosis and be prepared to present to preceptor;
  4. Following an assessment of all assigned patients, students will describe the chief problems and a plan for treatment.
  5. Prepare a complete H & P for a new patient admitted to the service;
  6. Periodically re-evaluate patients’ status including interpretation of new history and physical exam findings;
  7. Use and interpret laboratory and radiographic tests used in diagnosing common cardiac & vascular diseases;
  8. Recognize and manage situations related to common cardiac & vascular diseases that are potential emergencies; and
  9. Identify ethical problems which arise in patient treatment and care.

Learning Activities:

  1. Outpatient and inpatient evaluations;
  2. Participation in development of therapy strategies and plans and evaluation of responses to therapy;
  3. Exposure to EKGs, echocardiography and stress testing; and
  4. Exposure to invasive cardiac procedures to be determined by both the preceptor’s scope of practice and the pathology evaluated.

Method of Assessment: Preceptor will evaluate the student’s performance based upon direct observation as well as additional feedback from members of the clinical staff. Standard UIC evaluation form completed and submitted

Required Reading: None

Additional Resources:

  • ACC/AHA Clinical Guidelines Up-to-Date
  • Standard Cardiology Texts – Braunwald, Hurst and/or Topol Current Medical Literature

Miscellaneous Information: Minimum of five full days per week with on-call/weekend responsibilities at the discretion of the preceptor.*