Summer Discovery - Exploring Medicine

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Exploring Medicine
Syllabus

Course: Exploring Medicine

Course Director: Steve Anisman
Phone: 660-8624 E-Mail:Steve.Anisman@vtmednet.org

Course Objectives: This course is designed to introduce students to many different aspects of planning, pursuing, and ultimately experiencing a career in medicine. This goal will be met through many activities, including tours of the medical facilities, journal & essay writing, public speaking, independent study, and medical library research. To enhance your experience, several guest speakers from various medical specialties have been invited to talk about their careers, teach you some fundamentals of the art of medicine, and provide you with the opportunity to ask questions.

Course Requirements:

Major Paper: Each student will select a medical topic to research from the list provided or from a pre-approved original idea. Proposals for research projects are due no later than July 7th, although I recommend that you get as early a start as possible. Papers will be a minimum of 5 pages, double spaced (1 inch margins, 12-point type) and no more than 7 pages, and must include no less than 8 references, including at least 2 references from the technical literature. A preliminary draft is due no later than July 21, although I am happy to review rough drafts at any time. Papers will be informally presented to the class on July 28 and then handed in for final evaluation.
The following are examples of the papers completed by students in 1998:
Personal Statement: Each student will write one page essay (single spaced) that answers the question “Why do you want to enter the medical field?” This essay will be reviewed by the Director of Admissions ot the College of Medicine as if it were part of an actual medical school application. The essays are due no later than July 14th, although I am happy to review rough drafts at any time.
Journals: Each student will maintain a daily journal, which should include comments on topics covered in each class period. This is intended to reflect students’ personal opinions, and confidentiality will be maintained. Journal entries should each be 1/2 to 1 1/2 pages long and dated. Journals should be brought to class - if time permits, entries can be done at the end of each class period. Journals will be handed in to the instructor each Thursday, and will be returned each Monday.
Public Service Announcement: Students will be assigned to small groups, and each group will plan and produce a 30-second to 5 minute videotaped presentation that could serve as a public service announcement on a health-related issue. The topic can be chosen from the list provided or from a pre-approved original idea.

Course Grading: Enrichment courses are graded Honors / Pass / Not Pass. The grades will be determined as follows:

20% is based on the research paper.
20% is based on journal entries.
20% is based on the public service announcement and the personal statement.
40% is based on attendance, participation, and professionalism.

At the end of the third week, any student who is doing below average work will be notified.

Calendar
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
June 29 Introduction	June 30 Dr. Gerry Silverstein - HIV, Immunology, Universal Precautions	July 1 meet 15 minutes early Fletcher Allen Tour	July 2 meet 15 minutes early Dr. Carole Hughes - Library Tour
July 6 Dr. Jim Hudziak - Psychiatry	July 7 meet 15 minutes early Mike Caputo - Telemedicine	July 8 Dr. Hobbs - Complimentary Medicine	July 9 meet 15 minutes early Dr. Sharon Mount -Pathology
July 13 Dr. Neil Hyman - Surgery	July 14 Allied Health	July 15 Dr. John Saia - Doctoring Skills I	July 16 Public Service Announcements Recorded
July 20 Dr. Cathleen Gleeson - Admissions	July 21 Medical Student Panel	July 22 Dr. John Saia - Doctoring Skills II	July 23 meet 15 minutes early UVM Rescue
July 27 Robin Edelman - Nutrition	July 28 Major Paper Presentations	July 29 Dr. Tabin - Ophthalmology & International Medicine	July 30 Wrap-up, Evaluations, Papers Returned, Ben & Jerry’s Trip (?)

Dates to Remember:
EVERY THURSDAY:	Turn in journals
July 7:	Turn in proposals for major paper and for PSA
July 9:	Proposals will be returned
July 14:	Turn in personal statements
July 16:	Public service announcements videotaped
July 21:	Turn in major paper drafts
July 23:	Major paper drafts returned
July 26:	Major paper presentations, final draft due

Major Paper and Public Service Announcement Topics

Aging
Alternative/Complimentary Medicine
Asthma
Birth Defects
Cancer
Child Abuse as a Medical Concern
Chronic Illness/Disability
Death and Dying
Diabetes
Domestic Violence and Impact on Healthcare
Drug Use and its Medical Effects
Eating Disorders
Envronmental Influences of Disease
FDA Drug Approval Process
Genetic Testing
Heart Disease
HIV / AIDS Epidemic
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Infertility
Managed Care / HMO’s
Men’s Health
Mind/Body Connection
Minorities in Medicine
Nutrition
Obesity
Pain Management
Physician-Assisted Suicide
Pre-Natal Care
Pregnancy / Home Birth
Smoking
Sports Medicine
Stress Management
Women in Medicine
Women’s Health

These are ideas with which to start. After some initial research, the topics should be narrowed to a specific area and approved on Tuesday, July 7th. I am happy to help you with the writing or researching as time allows, although you are expected to be as independent as possible. The library tour should be a great opportunity for you to become familiar with some of our resources, and the library staff will be able to help you with many of your questions.

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