This course covers the anatomy and physiology of diseases and disorders specific to pediatric, female and geriatric patients. This includes the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, complications and differential diagnoses of commonly encountered diseases and disorders through symptoms-based and systems-based approaches of these patients. This course will also include instruction in the care of the LGBTQ patient, the veteran patient, homeless patients and rural healthcare, focusing upon the unique needs of these populations. Emphasis is placed on interviewing and eliciting a medical history specific to these patient groups, performing a focused physical examination, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies to evaluate these diseases and disorders. Management of patients with these diseases and disorders from initial presentation through follow-up for acute, chronic, and emergent cases will be covered, as will referrals, preventive medicine, and patient education. Associated medical documentation and clinical skills, as appropriate, will be taught.
Topics will include the approach to pediatric patient and pediatric illnesses, pediatric growth and development, evaluation of the newborn, pediatric screening, acute pediatric problems, adolescent medicine, and problems specific to pediatrics. Topics will include an overview of women's health, contraception, pregnancy, cervical, and breast disease, the Bethesda System, breast health, and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as disorders of the vagina, ovaries, and uterus. Topics will also include approach to the geriatric patient, principles of gerontology, principles of geriatrics, geriatric syndromes, and principles of palliative medicine and ethics to include the unique changes in human physiology that occur in advancing age, the physical changes which occur in normal aging, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life issues, death and dying. Finally, additional topics will include the approach to the veteran patient, the homeless patient and members of the LGBTQ population and the illnesses commonly encountered in these populations as well as an overview of rural health.