MED 490 - Concept Maps (P/F)

[152 Hours]

Within medical school education curricula, there has traditionally been little emphasis on formal training into how clinical decision making best occurs. In recent years, there has been emphasis placed on the use of concept maps in the formation of an approach to providing care to patients. In contrast to algorithmic medicine, the use of concept maps focuses on pathophysiologic variables. The goal of this elective is to help students understand the role of concepts maps and pathophysiologic reasoning in the approach to clinical problem solving. The rotation will consist of 4 components: Attendance at morning report and a daily noon conference, at which the learning style is based on use of concept maps. Formal small-group instruction to better learn the principles that influence development of concept maps and of pathophysiologic reasoning. Participation in patient care encounters in internal medicine subspecialty clinics during which the principles of concept maps can be used in the provision of medical care. An evaluation process that will consist of the student developing and presenting to peers a concept map approach for clinical decision making in a specific area of the specialty the student will ultimately pursue. Because of the nature of this elective, the grading scale will be either pass or fail.